Name: Bassem Araki
Email: B_Araki@hotmail.com
Profession: Accountant
Country: Canada

Comments

Very Informative Site. Keep it up.

Name: Manal Mitri
Email: hada_ana@hotmail.com
Profession: Lawyer
Country: Palestine

Comments

I was following up the events that have been taking place in "israel" about legalising torture. I happened to read your fact sheet about torture and I must say that the facts laid out and the information submitted were very objective and sadly illustrated the truth. I would like to congratulate you on your excellent efforts and I sincerely hope that the message of justice that is called for will be heard and will be implemented.

Name: anneke
Email: hans@ydl.nl
Profession: officemanager business consultancy
Country: the netherlands

Comments

interesting site. Just want to know more about the organisation to get a real picture of it.

Name: Suha Abul Rahim
Email: winterson_2000@yahoo.com
Profession: Student
Country: England

Comments

Name: Dana Brown
Email: brianshouse@yahoo.com
Profession: n/a
Country: USA

Comments

The Hidden City PreExilic Jerusalem Located

The PreBabylonian Jerusalem has remained hidden for thousands of years; prominent archaeologists admit they haven’t found it. Yet, Scripture and logic explain where it lays hidden. It’s the ancient Jebus, an early Canaanite City, with an historic castle that subsequently became the majestic royal palace for the world’s most famous kings: Saul, David, Solomon, and the many that followed them. It’s also the ancient site of the early Levitical City wherein the preserved Holy of Holies and other preserved inner recesses of the glorious Solomonic Temple await reentry. A colossal find! Even the abundant ancient records stored therein and the wealth of Temple treasures described in the intriguing Copper Scroll await recovery. But GOD’S Holy Ark is not there as the Prophet Jeremiah hid it before King Nebuchadnezzar attacked the City (Jeremiah 43:8-10; II Maccabees 2:4-8).

The PreExilic City is also the coveted site raided by marauding armies of ancient Egypt, Assyria, Persia, and Babylon. And the new Jerusalem created when Jewry returned from Babylon is not atop this ancient City.

Note again: People will soon unearth the remnants of Jebus, the great castle (fortress) of David, the Solomonic and other Temples. Findings therein should provide substantial treasures and historical records concerning the Middle East, Egypt, Mesopotamia, ancient India, perhaps China, the Phoenicians, etc. This discovery should also confirm the skeletal history of the ancient world and much more.

For details see: “The Hidden City: The PreBabylonian Jerusalem”:

www.angelfire.com/fl/BriansHouse/hiddencity.html Or Brians_Annex_II.tripod.com/hiddencity.html

Help reopen Solomon's Temple. Feel free to link to this site and/or forward this email to your mailing lists and interested parties.

Geo. & Dana brianshouse@yahoo.com

Name: Danielle Dwyer
Email: d-dwyer@netcom.ca
Profession:
Country: Canada

Comments

Hi! Dialogue is the key to one another's hearts. Thank you, Danielle

Name: Michael O'Neil
Email:
Profession: MA student
Country: UK

Comments

I am very impressed with your site. I think that this is one of the best information sources on the Palestine question.

Yet, I still do not understand "what you do" exactly!!! Are you a legal office, a lobbying organisation, etc...

Thanks Mike

Name: arafat
Email: arafat21@yahoo.com
Profession: student in birzeit university
Country: palestine

Comments

im very glad to see your home page and i hope there will be more conection between me and your institution could you please send me short infromation about your intitution (MIFTAH) THANKS TO YOU

Name: Amjad Ghadieh
Email: aghadieh@umich.edu
Profession: Systems Analyst
Country: United States.

Comments

Very nice. Keep up the good work!

Name: Ali Halim
Email: ahalim@paramountfarms.com
Profession: Network/Systems Administrator
Country: USA

Comments

Well done... Great mission statement! Will have added comments after further review.

Thanks, Ali Halim

Name: Sara A.K.
Email:
Profession:
Country: Palestine

Comments

Great missons you took on your self and I wonder if you know about what happened at 5/5/2000 THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY CLOSED THE VOICE OF LOVE AND PEACE RADIO STATION " THE FIRST PRIVATE STATION IN PALESTINIAN HISTORY" THE REASONS FOR THIS CLOSURE WAS AN INTERVIEW MADE WITH ONE OF THE TEACHERS REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE TEACHERS STRIKE.

So are you going to do something about it or you choose to go on talking about democracy???

Name: Srinivasan
Email: k_srinivas@yahoo.com
Profession: IT Consultant
Country: Bahrain

Comments

I got information about this organisation from Rami Bathish. I met Rami in March-2000 in Jerusalem. I hope Rami still remembers me - I work for KPMG and I was visiting UNRWA for some official work.

After coming back to Bahrain, I made a very detailed presentation about the History of Palestine and the work that UNRWA does to my colleagues and they were astounded at the facts. Most of us were only aware of some of the facts, but for me the trip to Gaza was really an eye-opener.

I understand that Hanan Ashrawi was in Bahrain during April-2000. I could not meet her, as I was travelling during that time. However, the next time she comes around to this part of the world, I will definitely try and meet her.

All the best to all of you

Srini

Name: Charlie
Email: charly@unitedstates.com
Profession:
Country: Palestine

Comments

Good Work

Name: Omar
Email: think02@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: Canada

Comments

Great job i admire your hard work and commitment to such an important.

Name: Ismail Yosef
Email:
Profession:
Country: Brazil

Comments

Keep up the good work

Name: Rami Khatib
Email: r.khatib@virgin.net
Profession: Student
Country: Palestine (study in UK)

Comments

Thank you so much for such an amazing site.. It shows professionalism lacking in many Arabic and international sites. But more importantly, the content is so informative and well thought of, providing loads of resources for any interested person. It shows the world the Palestinian cause, rights, and points of view. I truly believe that your site is a true representation of the Palestinian people. Once again, thank you very much, and keep up the great work!!

Name: Mahmoud Lamadanie
Email: mahmoud.lamadanie@plattsburgh.edu
Profession: Director, International Programs, State University of New York at Plattsburgh
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

101 Broad Street
Kehoe 313 Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Tel: (518) 564-3287
Fax: (518) 564-3292
Web Site:www.Plattsburgh.edu/international

Name: David Goldman
Email: davic@erols.com
Profession: Translator
Country: USA

Comments

I am studying your website, and have sent you information regarding the fact that Zionist is a heretical ideology opposed to Judaism. There will never be true peace in Palestine until the rights of the Palestinians are restored in all of Palestine, and the Zionist regime is peacefully dismantled, like South Africa and the USSR. The Torah is a book of peace; Judaism is a religion of peace; Zionism is an ideology of conflict, heresy and idiocy!

Yours truly,

David Goldman

Name: Robert Capiot
Email: rcapiot@rug.be
Profession: journalist
Country: Belgium

Comments

I'm very impressed with your site. For me as a journalist it really is one of the best information sources on the Palestian problems. I'm also impressed with the names of the trustees, the 'fine fleur' of the Palestinian intellectuals (but I miss a few, for instance Haidar Abdel Shafi and Ghassan Andoni...) You're doing a great job. Best wishes.

Name: PALSTUD
Email: killiahmad@hotmail.com
Profession: System Technician
Country: USA

Comments

great work,keep it up

check out my page: http://www.geocities.com/palstud

Name: Mohamed El-Doufani
Email: m.eldoufani@btinternet.com
Profession: Editor
Country: United Kingdom

Comments

This is one of he most clearly written, succinct, informative and well laid out web sites that I have had the pleasure to peruse.

As someone who has long campaigned in the United Kingdom for the national rights of the Palestinian Arabs, I have become all too aware that, among our weaknesses, the lack of clear communications and effective public relations must rank among the gravest.

Your efforts in this regard, together with your struggle for openness and democracy, offer a glimmer of hope in that long, long and dark tunnel that is known as the Arab political arena.

Name: Mohamed El-Doufani
Email: m.eldoufani@btinternet.com
Profession: Editor
Country: United Kingdom

Comments

This is one of he most clearly written, succinct, informative and well laid out web sites that I have had the pleasure to peruse.

As someone who has long campaigned in the United Kingdom for the national rights of the Palestinian Arabs, I have become all too aware that, among our weaknesses, the lack of clear communications and effective public relations must rank among the gravest.

Your efforts in this regard, together with your struggle for openness and democracy, offer a glimmer of hope in that long, long and dark tunnel that is known as the Arab political arena.

Name: s. de Laboulaye
Email: Laboulaye@bow.dts.mg
Profession: diplomat
Country:

Comments

please update more frequently

Name: Nadia Hammouda
Email: nhammouda@hotmail.com
Profession: Teacher
Country:

Comments

Thank you for your very interesting and informative site. It is professional, well laid out and a pleasure to read.

Name: Jennifer L. Kozlowski
Email: jkozlowski@bernco.gov
Profession: government
Country: USA

Comments

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Hanan Ashrawi in June and I am in support of a Palestinian state

Name: Susan Abulhawa
Email: abulhawa@aol.com
Profession: Biologist
Country: USA

Comments

Name: AKOM
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Hala Nassar
Email: hnassar@zedat.fu-berlin.de
Profession: P.h.D. student in Berlin
Country: Germany

Comments

A rather outstanding web. Very objective and very much needed. keep up the good work.

Name: Baha Abu-Shaqra
Email: shaqra@eudoramail.com
Profession: Development Manager
Country: Canada

Comments

Warm greetings!

Western/pro-Israeli media still depicts the Palestinians as the bigger (than the Israeli) terrorists. Is there an orderly account refuting this intensely provoking zion lie? One that contains number comparisons (of Palestinians killed by Israeli terrorists vis-a-vis Israelis killed by Palestinians). Notwithstanding the Palestinians droit to retaliate. It would be useful refreshing tool to the misguided masses.

The other request is that you (governors of miftah.or) to please use proper citations and referencing in your articles. It is not a question of disbelieve/distrust, but it will add credibility and further validate your claims.

In solidarity,

Name: Wendy Ghannam
Email: desert_rose72@hotmail.com
Profession: US Gov't retired
Country: USA

Comments

No comment to make at this time except that I fully support Ms. Ashwari's work and professional endeavors to enlighten the world on the plight of the Palestinian people, as I am married to a Palestinian Arab (Moslem) myself. The website is an excellent base from which to work from.

Name: Ted Nace
Email: AkitaNace@aol.com
Profession: Retired Presbyterian Pastor
Country: USA

Comments

With just a brief encounter, I am very positively impressed. I would like to understand better where Ralph Nader stands on some of the current issues.

Name: wisam
Email: abss3@hotmail.com
Profession: student
Country: australia

Comments

a great initiative, it is good to see some productive work, keep up the good work!

Name: wisam
Email: abss4@hotmail.com
Profession: student
Country: australia

Comments

a great initiative, it is good to see some productive work, keep up the good work!

Name: jery t lawler
Email: jtlawler@msn.com
Profession: psychologist
Country: usa

Comments

as a newly arived ameican with out language skills in Arabic, i was glad to run across your web site. I feel news deprived during this critical time and was happy to find an up to date source for news. I'm a psychologist working in Palestine with the Gaza Community Mental Health Center

Name: Ibrahim
Email: abuw11@yahoo.com
Profession: Nuclear Medicine
Country: Palestine

Comments

Great job......Keep it up

Name: Tom McElheney
Email: mcelheney@hotmail.com
Profession: teacher
Country: USA

Comments

I first saw Dr. Ashrawi on the long Nightline broadcast, and was so happy to see her represent the Palestinian people. I wish her well. I am grateful to the website workers who bring this news to the US, even though news media keep this material silent. The fact sheet area is particularly useful to people who need to convince pro-Israel people that Israel is acting unjustly.

From the other side of our little Earth, I thank you. I am with you.

Tom McElheney

Name: Christopher Rushlau
Email: crushl71@maine.edu
Profession: Law Student
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

We have little or no budget for a graduation speaker and I have no authority to invite her (does that sound like a lawyer talking?), but I'm wondering if Hanan Ashrawi might consider being our commencement speaker next May in Portland, Maine, a northeastern state just before you get to Canada. Her forthright and clear speaking style and her poise under pressure in the midst of controversy would be inspirational to the law school community, I believe. Americans have generally been brought up to regard Israel as being as normal and all-American as Disneyland. They think rubber bullets are made of rubber. But I'm sure our students and community would listen to Dr. Ashrawi or to anybody who, as we say, sticks to their guns so cooly and forthrightly as she does. Thank you.

Name: Brigitte Lewis-Diederich
Email: BABRIGITTE@aol.com
Profession:
Country: USA

Comments

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very dangers, sad und unacceptable situation.

Name: B D Finch
Email: b.d.finch@mountains.ndo.co.uk
Profession: Public Sector Housing Developer
Country: U.K.

Comments

I accessed your web site hoping to find some activity that I could participate in, in Britain, to protest at the violence of the Israeli state and their oppression and murder of Palestinians. I was disappointed not to find any links or info. But send greetings and solidarity at this time of suffering for the Palestinians. I am Jewish and a Socialist. I lived for eight years in Israel, but refused citizenship because I was so disgusted at the racism that is at the core of the Israeli state.

Name: O
Email:
Profession: K
Country: K

Comments

KK

Name: Dean Lubbat
Email: D-lubbat@msn.com
Profession:
Country: USA

Comments

Great website, Just keep up the good work!

IMAD

Name: Hadi Yaziji
Email: hadi@phenopath.com
Profession: Physician
Country: USA

Comments

It is thrilling to see the wealth of documents and commentaries uploaded on this site. One of these days, justice will rule. My warmest regards to everyone in MIFTAH and particularly to Mrs. Ashrawi.

Name: Arthur Lee
Email: arlee3@aol.com
Profession: Episcopal Priest
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

I am grateful for the clarity of MIFTAH's vision and for the articulate voice which it gives to the Palestinian aspirations.

Name: Rev. Kathleen Allan
Email: rev@bruu.org
Profession: Unitarian Universalist clergy
Country: United States

Comments

I rely on you to get news, information and perspectives unsullied by the American media. My prayers are with you. The violence of oppression is not being recognized nor atoned for! Blessings, Rev. Kathleen Allan

Name: Bill Orme
Email: orme@nytimes.com
Profession: Reporter
Country: USA

Comments

At this particularly terrible time I just wanted to express my admiration for your continuing work on this extremely useful website: It is so well-organized, well-edited, and always up to date, and has the best list of Palestinian links a journalist could hope for.

Name: Anne Slade
Email: lapidge@gateway.net
Profession: administrative assistant
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

amazing site - I am a human rights volunteer and working towards a career in human rights. I have a family friend who does resaerch and writing in Washington, D.C. He is the director of International Palestine Studies - Mr. Philip Mattar. He has written many articles on the situation. You should check him out.

best wishes, Anne Slade 29 Lapidge Street, #6 San Francisco, CA 94110

Name: Anne Slade
Email: lapidge@gateway.net
Profession: administrative assistant
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

sorry- I submitted a comment that had an error. Philip Mattar is the director for Institue for Palestine Studies & also recently edited an Encyclopedia on Palestine.

Name: Paul Lebel
Email: lebel@un.org
Profession: UN Field Service
Country: USA

Comments

I continue to be appaled at my country's unjust and one sided view of the conflict here in Palestine.

This web site is excellent. I will be telling my friends back in the States to check it out.

God bless you Mrs Ashrawi and others.

A sad, native born American, Paul Lebel

Name: erik van gerwen
Email: hwam@wanadoo.es
Profession: civil servent
Country: spain

Comments

All recent violence has made me think about several things, and allthough my simpaty has been -allmost -since ever with the palestine people, I now know I need to participate with your goal. I'am happy to have found your Internet resources, maybe, soon I hope, I can visit your country and Jerusalem, capital of Palestine, and knowing & sharing a beautiful people & country.

Blessings

(Any online arab course available)

Name: Sami A Joseph
Email: sami.joseph@cwcom.net
Profession: Retired
Country: England, UK

Comments

Keep up the good work. May God bless you, be with you all and help you achieve your aspirations.

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Aseel Nasir Dyck
Email: sdyck@hevanet.com
Profession: historian/librarian
Country: usa

Comments

Excellent website!

Name: Mohammad S. Salameh
Email: mosalameh@yahoo.com
Profession: General Contractor
Country: Palestenian Canadian

Comments

Thank you very much for this exellent work. you are my only venue of information, I don't need to tell you how one sided the western media is. Once again thank you, and I am so proud of you

Name: Charlie
Email: charlyh16@yahoo.com
Profession: Student
Country: PALESTINE

Comments

nice job man please visite my homepage : http://www.geocities.com/charlyh16/

Name: sohail malik
Email: samalik@anet.net.sa
Profession: administrator
Country: pakistan

Comments

I am glad to see such a quality site and first class representation of palistinian cause.

Name: Sarah Rankin
Email: sarah.rankin@luton.ac.uk
Profession: University Educator
Country: United Kingdom

Comments

Thank you for an excellent web site. Reading the Balfour Declaration on the site it's very clear that Israel failed to honor the agreement. The Palestinian struggle for freedom is essential, there have been too many human rights abuses by Israel. Oslo was a miserable deal for the Palestinian people. Salaam Alaikum

Name: Charlie
Email: charlyh16@yahoo.com
Profession: Student
Country: Palestine

Comments

CONGRATULATIONS Issa

Name: Jeannette Regan
Email: jregan@worldcom.ch
Profession: Consultant/Teacher
Country: Switzerland

Comments

Impressively done, easy-to-access website. Would have liked to read about activities in 2000 and those planned for the future. Good luck on your efforts.

Name: Dr. Jane Gleason
Email: je_gleason@dai.com
Profession: Economist
Country: Egypt

Comments

The writings of Dr. Hanan are superb. They give me hope while my heart is breaking.

Name: Alexander M. Leeser
Email: a_leeser@msn.com
Profession: President, IX International Philosophy Olympiad, Secretary General, World Congress of Youth
Country: United States of America

Comments

The IX International Philosophy Olympiad, From Violence to Tolerance: Towards Reconciliation, Peace and Global Democracy will take place in Philadelphia next May 1-5, 2000. In conjunction with this event, we will host the first World Congress of Youth: Nurturing the Seedbed of Civilization. This summit has partnered with the Earth Charter Initiative and the Dialogue Among Nations intiative. A group of eminent persons including H.R.H. el Hassan bin Talal, Karan Singh, H.R.H. Prince Norodom and others have joined an International Board of Advisors to assist in the promotion and organization of this initiative.

The Olympiad has been sponsored in the past by UNESCO and this year, for the first time, it will be sanctioned by the Federation of International Philosophical Societies.

Name: Ashraf Kagee
Email: sakagee@mail.med.upenn.edu
Profession: Psychologist
Country: South Africa

Comments

The Palestinian struggle against Israeli oppression has much in common with the South African movement to eradicate apartheid. My best wishes to MIFTAH and Dr. Ashrawi for the important work you are all doing in the interests of human rights. Forward to a just peace for all Palstinians.

Name: Hazami Sayed
Email: hsayed@earthlink.net
Profession: Architect
Country: PA, USA

Comments

After meeting Dr Ashrawi and Ruba Ibrahim this week at the Univ. of Pennsylvania, I felt impassioned to have our voice heard in the US and to do more for the cause -- I have just made my first political campaign contribution: a check to Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio for 2 cents! Hillary's return of Muslim contributions yesterday is totally disgusting.

It was an honor hearing Dr Ashrawi speak and to get an insider's point of view. This website is a great resource -- I will certainly refer American friends to it.

One area not covered in your website is more graphic-based information. I would especially like to see some documentaion of maps from before 1948 to present, including commitments made in the Peace Negotiations and the extent of 'bandustanification' of the Territories. In addition, are there city maps/drawings of Jerusalem showing the three religious quarters with Al Haram Alsharif and its relationship to the Jewish sanctuaries, historically and currently? If you are unable to incorporate this type of info into your website, are there other websites you would recommend?

Thank you.

Hazami Sayed

Name: Rami Othman
Email: rauthman@netvision.net.il
Profession: Lawyer
Country: Jerusalem

Comments

Name: Marwan Basim Khammash
Email: MKHAMMASH@t-online.de
Profession: President IPC
Country: Germany

Comments

Many thanks for the information which are needed by most of the european and western people to understand the prblem of the palastinean. I am living since 40 years in germany and have suffered too much during the 1967 war and the years after. We need more marketing and advertisement. We need Television and Broadcasting in many languages to talk to the people and let them understan ahat is going on in Palastina. Thanks for your efforts. Marwan Khammash

Name: Maria Richter
Email: mar78@columbia.edu
Profession: graduate student
Country: USA

Comments

This is a very useful and informative web site. I appreciate the links and especially e-mail addresses (for Barak, et al). Also, I came to this page hoping to find an opportunity to volunteer for a pro-Palestinian organization. Any tips would be appreciated. (I live in New York). Thank you. Ma'asalaama. Maria Richter

Name: Chris Barghout
Email: barghout@tds.net
Profession: Network Administrator
Country: U.S,A,

Comments

Very well laid out. Easy access to important documents. Would like that to be expanded to include all U.N. resolutions and things like the King Crane commission report. Overall, excellent resource.

Name: alexander delacroix
Email: adlc@hotmail.com
Profession: teacher
Country: France

Comments

Why Aren't Christians Speaking Out?

By Cynthia Ozick. Ms. Ozick, a novelist, is the author of "Quarrel & Quandary: Essays" (Knopf, 2000).

Ariel Sharon's walk across the Temple Mount plaza, within sight of the seventh-century shrine known as the Dome of the Rock, has been nearly universally condemned as a "provocation," an indisputably hostile act responsible for setting off furious weeks of unstoppable Palestinian rioting. Muslims as far away as Indonesia and Morocco (and France and New York) joined in the rage against this declared affront to Islam. But it was not only Muslims who spoke of provocation; Western opinion widely and emphatically agreed. As a consequence, what was only recently looked on as a clash of nationalities susceptible of rational border negotiations -- "two nations, one land" was the liberal formula -- has been turned into an ugly assault on Judaism itself. The reason is plain. That Mr. Sharon is consistently described as a hardliner, that he is scorned by the Israeli left, that he is accused of bad faith and narrow party motives, that he is reviled and demonized by Arabs -- none of this is to the point. What has enraged Muslims worldwide is the idea of a Jewish presence, any Jewish presence, on the Temple Mount -- and by "presence" is meant not simply a visit by a party official of the Jewish state, but the claim of an immemorial, authentic Jewish connection to Jerusalem. The Temple Mount is called by that name because it was the site of the Second Temple before its destruction by Roman occupiers in the year 70, an event recorded nearly six centuries before the advent of Islam. The issue, then, is not the character or intent of Mr. Sharon; it is the willed erasure not only of Jewish history, but also of Jewish faith. The current violent challenge to both Jews and Christians is in accordance with an evolving and fanatically accelerating Palestinian fabrication: that the Temple never existed, that it is a Jewish invention for local political gain, that the Jewish attachment to Jerusalem is historically and religiously nil. At Camp David last July, it was Yasser Arafat himself who boggled his interlocutors by this preposterous assertion, which is increasingly promulgated by influential Palestinians, whether lay or clerical. The insidious phrase, "the Judaizing of Jerusalem," is often heard in the mouth of Hanan Ashrawi, all the more absurdly because she is Christian. Holocaust denial to one degree or another is rampant in all Arab societies; it is augmented now by Judaism denial. So far, no mainstream Christian voices have been raised against these moral and historical depredations, and one wonders why. Why has there been no Christian protest over Muslim rioting when a Jew walks upon a historic Jewish site? The government and Jewish population of Israel have fully respected and protected the integrity of the mosques on the plaza, which have always been administered by the Muslim Waqf. Why has there been no audible Christian protest over the burning of a synagogue in Palestinian-ruled Jericho, or a mob's razing of Joseph's Tomb, a Jewish shrine supposedly under the protection of the Palestinian Authority? (Its surviving dome has now been painted Islamic green.) Half a century ago, when the Jews of Europe were besieged and defenseless, Christian silence was infamous. Since then, some Jews are no longer defenseless, and Christian understanding, conscience and remorse have expiated that unforgotten and dire omission. But what of now? Where is the Christian outcry when profound hatred of Jews is once again being unleashed? When Mr. Arafat, last month's peace partner, gleefully consigns the prime minister of the Jewish state to hell? In view of the origin and spread of intransigent Palestinian turbulence -- Hamas and Hezbollah and Mr. Arafat's negations all preceded Mr. Sharon's walk -- one can be certain that if Shimon Peres or the late Yitzhak Rabin, the architects of compromise and accommodation, had visited the Temple Mount, the result would be no different. The rocks maliciously stockpiled near the Dome of the Rock would go crashing down on Jewish worshipers at the Western Wall just the same. When Jewish history and faith are pronounced barren of any bond with Jerusalem, then Palestinians can justify their exclusionary ideology by means of unrestrained rioting, the closing of schools, the use and abuse of the young. "The stones are our jewels," Mr. Arafat announced at the start of the Intifada in 1987, and in the summer of 2000 Professor Edward Said of Columbia University, also a Christian, was photographed hurling one of those jewels from Lebanon into Israel, caught up, he explained, in the jubilation of the stone-throwers. Today, however, firebombs, guns, a lynching, and a Palestinian militia 40,000 strong have been added to Mr. Arafat's jewel box. Perhaps Jews ought not to expect, or hope for, vocal Christian empathy. To speak up for the venerable Jewish kinship to Jerusalem during a stormy time of pervasive defamation might require going the extra mile. But should not Christians speak up for the history and central claims of Christianity? If Judaism has no roots in Jerusalem, then Christianity was never born. And yet no Christian theological objection has been lodged against the denial of the Temple's historicity. I am a Jew who a week ago, on the holiday of Simchat Torah celebrating the ethical mandates of a 4,000-year-old tradition, opened the Gospels and read of the Christian connection to the Temple Mount. If the Temple is a Jewish chimera, as Palestinian and far-flung Muslim anger affirms, it is not only Jewish history and religion that is wiped away. The heart of Christianity, too, suffers erasure, and Christian muteness in the face of the annihilation of Christian belief becomes incomprehensible. If there never was a Temple, then where did Jesus walk?

Name: Farah Munayyer
Email: PALHERF@aol.com
Profession: Research Scientist
Country: United States of America

Comments

I just finished reading the articles: Anatomy of Racism and A tragic Reversal: Madeleine Albright's View of Reality. Also I got access to your valuable website. SUPERB JOB HANAN. God bless you.

Name: alexander delacroix
Email: aldc@hotmail.com
Profession: teacher
Country: France

Comments

An open letter to Arafat

© 2000 WorldNetDaily.com

Dear Mr. Arafat:

I couldn't help but notice that your recent rhetoric, as in your speech to the Arab Summit last week, suggests you are now not only a self-proclaimed spokesman for the "Palestianian people," but for Christian interests in the Middle East as well.

Here are some of the recent references that piqued my curiosity:

"The blood that was shed in Al-Aqsa definitely unleashed the wrath in the hearts of our Palestinian masses everywhere in the homeland. The unarmed citizens rose to express their feelings in a legitimate spontaneous intifada to uphold Arab, Islamic, and Christian values in accordance with the Umarite Covenant. The Israelis canceled this covenant, by claiming sovereignty over Al-Haram al-Sharif and forging its history and reality and saying it is the place where the Temple was built, by licentiously attacking the worshippers in its mosques and those defending its honor and sanctity, or by attempting to Judaize holy Jerusalem and its Christian and Islamic holy places and imposing a siege on Bethlehem."

"Our people of revolutionary struggle, the people of the glorious intifada, whose waves will only stop with victory, pledge to every Arab, Muslim, Christian, and friend to continue their struggle using all legitimate means to reach victory."

"Let me tell you something. The issue of Jerusalem is not just a Palestinian issue. It is a Palestinian, Arab, Islamic and Christian issue."

"Let us begin from the holy Buraq wall. It is called the holy Buraq wall, not the Wailing Wall. We do not say this. After the holy Buraq revolution in 1929 ... the Shaw International Committee said this is a holy wall for Muslims. This wall ends at the Via Dolorosa. These are our Christian and Muslim holy places."

I recently spoke out as an Arab-American in opposition to your tactics and goals, Mr. Arafat. Today, I speak out against them as a Christian.

Let me be blunt: Despite extensive travels throughout the Middle East, I have not met a single Christian Arab who did not have misgivings about you. I certainly have never met one who considered you a representative of his interests in the Holy Land. In the United States I have never met a Christian who thought you were anything but an anti-Jewish terrorist. That's the way I think of you.

You may indeed actually represent many of those rioting in the streets of Ramallah and Gaza and Jerusalem, but you will never speak for Christians anywhere -- not real Christians, not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was, you might recall, a Jewish rabbi.

By definition, Christians must reject your agenda of hate and genocide.

In addition, Christians old enough to remember what access to the holy sites was like under Islamic rule are hardly eager to support your cause in Jerusalem. We know where that leads. Jews may be your No. 1 enemy today. We know Christians will be next.

Mr. Arafat, you may have fooled enough people in elite circles to have won yourself millions in U.S. taxpayer aid and even a Nobel Peace Prize. But all you have really managed to do with those victories is to diminish and corrupt the meaning of those awards.

Sincerely,

Joseph Farah

A Christian Arab-American who supports the Jewish state

Name: Nicholas
Email: cygnusmajor@revolutionist.com
Profession: Student
Country: USA

Comments

Excellent website!! I have yet to find another website that presents an "academic" view of the situation. Also, I have come to admire Dr. Ashrawi and have found very little of her work. Now I have the ability....Thanks!

Name: Joe Faust
Email: joefaust@hotmail.com
Profession: Teacher, publisher, author, high jumper, hang glider, mathematician
Country: USA

Comments

You have top linking presence on my page. Thank you for your works and perseverance. http://members.tripod.com/joefaust

Name: Lou Medel
Email: Louwmedel@aol.com
Profession: Producer
Country: USA

Comments

Dear Editor, I arrived at your site through the postmaster at Bir Zeit Univ. I wish to contact Ms. Hanan Ashwari and offer my services to her.

I have been a producer for thirty-five years and have followed the Palestinian plight closely. There are very few Palestinians who use the American language as expertly as Ms. Ashwari. The content of her ideas are revealing and profound. I believe that in some way I can be of benefit to the Palestinian cause for self-determination.

I was the coordinating producer of the first anti-drug rock video titled "STOP THE MADNESS" for President Reagan in 1986. It featured many celebrities from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Whitney Houston. It is this credential that established a wealth of political cache. I wish to promote Ms. Ashwari's ideas.

I will furnish a resume to Ms. Ashwari if she is interested. I am a native born American of very mixed descent. My religion is Roman Catholic.

My very best to you Lou Medel

Name: Corinne Rivoallan
Email: rivoallan@hotmail.com
Profession: Journalist
Country: New Zealand

Comments

Very good website Well documented and well built.

Thanks for the work you are doing.

Name: DR.MOHAMMAD RASHID
Email: MORZAKCO@ATT.NET
Profession: PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGIST
Country: U.S

Comments

YOUR EFFEROTS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED. WE CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU. LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP WITH IN YOUR STRUCTURE,

2000 PUSH. PALESTINIAN UPRISING SEAHORSES FOR THE 2000

Name: Head Hitter
Email: editor@rastafaritoday.com
Profession:
Country: Jamaica, West Indies and USA

Comments

Keep up the good work, and best wishes from rastafaritoday.com.

Name: Adel Al Amad
Email: adelamad@yahoo.com
Profession: Businessman
Country: Rome, Italy.

Comments

I congratulate you on your excellent web site on Palestinian issues and questions. We need the correct information and facts to reach all parts of the world and to get the people of the world realize the Israeli lies and propaganda against the Palestinian People. I suggest also for your wep site to unclude another European language. I wish you all the best and best regards, Adel Al Amad.

Name: Amgad Beblawi
Email: amgad@fuller.edu
Profession: Higher Education Administraion
Country: USA & Egypt

Comments

Your website is great. It has a lot of helpful information and links, and gives clarification to many of the issues that are distorted by media misrepresentation.

Name: Morton H. Frank
Email: LMFrank@rcn.com
Profession: Physiologist (retired)
Country: USA

Comments

I learned about Miftah after hearing Hanan Ashwari speak at the University of Pennsylvania a few weeks ago. I was much impressed by her talk and the way she answered questions.

It would be helpful if her name appears as author of articles she wrote that are posted in your "Key Issues" section.

I cannot agree with Edward Said's depiction of the power of AIPAC lobby in Washington. In my view, AIPAC and its allies INFLUENCE policy, help determine the FORM that policy takes, but are not nearly powerful enough to DETERMINE the thrust of policy.

Name: Corky Blackburn
Email: CBlack9529@aol.com
Profession: Healthcare
Country: USA

Comments

An excellent and informative site. I am a non-Arab, a grandmother, who knows that the loss of one child makes possible the loss of any child. It is clear to me that men in tanks with machine guns and attack helicoptors cannot have need to murder children with stones. The Israeli's have become the Nazi's, and have abdicated their claim to exclusivity at being the world's perpetual "victims."

Name: Susan Abulhawa
Email: sjabulhawa@aol.com
Profession: scientist
Country: USA

Comments

I am gratful for the efforts of Miftah. I would like to see more efforts aimed at uniting the Arab people in nations all over the globe. I am particularly interested in doing so in the US where we can effectively infulence policy and public opinion as one vocal and united group of individuals and organizations.

Name: A. Levy
Email:
Profession: Student
Country: US

Comments

Response to Hadeel:

I am saddened by your loss and wish you a life never devoid of meaning.

But Hadeel, Ya Hadeel How can one blame you for not knowing the meaning "IS-RA-EL?" Iran will say "the devil" Your Schoolteacher, "aggressor," Edward Said, "occupier," and Hanan, most shrewd (but not enough), "a fiction" And this is your tragedy (and mine): that there is no one, not even one intellectual, poet, or political activist, who can educate you. How can I blame you? And how can I blame you when you blame me? If only we could meet, I would teach you IS-RA-EL means MI-RA-CLE and PA-LES-TINE, with my help, can mean one, too. N.B. - Still, Hanan may deserve an answer: "If IS-RA-EL is a fiction, then what is PA-LES-TINE?" "Who were our leaders? What was our form of governance? What were the British doing here, and the Turks, and the JEWS? And what is it that we hear on Israeli TV all the time, "YE-RU-SHA-LAYIM?" It sounds an awful lot like "Urshalim," only without "al-kuds..." "If Israel was a tribe roaming our lands, Hanan, what were we, the literati, or perhaps the kings and queens?" Hanan, perhaps, if Israel is a fiction, then we, too, are one, only a _fresher one_. It seems to me that we have learned from Israel, that graceful fiction, and are on our way to becoming an accepted one. Just like that day when I learned that America, in its time, was also a fiction, and grand. Shalom means Salam, not Jihad. Jihad has no equivalent in "IS-RA-EL's" language.

Name: Said T. EL-SAID
Email: elsaid@swissonline.ch
Profession: Management Consultant
Country: Switzerland

Comments

Thank you for putting together such an informative web site. I will certainly forward it on to all my friends and colleagues, specially in the USA. As a Palestinian, I am proud of your work and thank you for your efforts in keeping 'us' alive in tne minds of the world community.

Name: Hatem Sabra
Email: almadar@tin.it
Profession: TV Director - Documentary section
Country: Italy - Palestine

Comments

Thank you i see your Site an i take many things to talk and explain the situation in Palestine I like to have updates informations )in arabic se possibil) any way I hope in peace in Plaestine to return to live in my village How can i help you in Italy Can I Invite in future Dr Hanan Ashrawi to discuss her book My Struggle to peace - in Itlaian La mia lotta Per la pace, 96 Sincerly H. Sabra Rome

Name: The Rev. Bruce D. Mulder
Email: chicodutch23@yahoo.com
Profession: Minister
Country: USA

Comments

May God bless Palestine with peace and justice.

Name: The Rev. Bruce D. Mulder
Email: chicodutch23@yahoo.com
Profession: Minister
Country: USA

Comments

May God bless Palestine with peace and justice.

Name: Abdel Megui El Nahas
Email: elnahas@aol.com
Profession: Doctor
Country: UK/Egypt

Comments

It is about time we resist the oppressors by using modern means of dissemination of information. They had a considerable advantage over us in this area and more than any armed struggle , we have lost the wars of E'lam...and propaganda...over and over again...prhaps now with websites like yours we can redress the wrongs and make our cause just known to the world. May Allah be with you in your struggle. And remember that ultimately, oppression will lose its grips on the oppressed as freedom and peace beckons those who beleive in Allah... Abdel Meguid El Nahas

Name: Sophie Al Awazi
Email: fosys@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: United Arab Emirates

Comments

I was very impressed with your website, the articles are well written and truthful; i only hope that more awareness is brought to the website as i did not know that it existed until i visited the BBC's website, and was reading Hanan Ashrawi's interview. I think that this site would be a great eye opener for people detached from the situation and who are unaware of the exact facts. Also for those who are constantly being fed information from news programs such as CNN which continually distort fact to keep the majority of the American people in support with its governments'uneven handed policies. All in all it is a great site, and i will pass on the word!

Name: Ali  Hamdan
Email: alahmed_ali@hotmail.com
Profession:
Country: usa

Comments

Att: Hannan Ashrawi

I would like to leave this massage to Hanna Ashrawi and tell her I am proud of her, I will vote for her to be our leader in the next future.

Thank you Ali USA

Name: Adel Al Amad
Email: adelamad@yahoo.com
Profession: Businessman
Country: Rome , Italy.

Comments

Dear Sir, I congratulate you on your informative Website "Miftah". Continue the this very good work. Thanks and best regards. Adel Al Amad.

Name: Al-ajami  Sarri
Email: sarri8@yahoo.com
Profession:
Country: Palestine

Comments

Name: saeed shahzad, MD
Email: shahzadmd@aol.com
Profession: physician
Country: USA

Comments

The situation in Palestine is very serious and entire resposibility lies on israel and USA. I fully agree with your mission. Please continue the good work.

Thank you

Saeed Shahzad, MD

Name: saeed shahzad, MD
Email: shahzadmd@aol.com
Profession: physician
Country: USA

Comments

The situation in Palestine is very serious and entire responsibility lies on israel and USA. I fully agree with your mission. Please continue the good work.

Thank you

Saeed Shahzad, MD

Name: Peter Hobel
Email: Peter.Hobel@skolekom.dk
Profession: Teacher
Country: Denmark

Comments

Please mail me the address and telephone number of your organisation. I'll come to Jerusalem next week and a fact-finding-trip for The Union of Teachers in Religious Education in Denmark. Greetings peter hobel

Name: Jennifer Cramer
Email: jhcramer@space.net.au
Profession: Registered nurse/Lecturer
Country: Australia

Comments

I am delighted to be introduced to Miftah and to this vital source representing Palestininan peoples' rights and aspirations to the world. I stand in solidarity and care very much for the cause of Palestinians. I care about the immense atrocities they experience at the hands of Israeli power and western collusion with the perpetuation of injustice and inhumanity. Sincerely, Jennifer Cramer

Name: miftah
Email: rahman
Profession: information technology
Country: usa

Comments

great site, good job

Name: Simon D'Oyly
Email: simon@AKAssociates.org
Profession: C&I Director
Country: UK

Comments

Finally a decent Palestinian site. Why is it that the rhetoric, even among UK broadsheets such as the Independent and The Guardian can carry objective articles about the Al Aqsa Intifada, yet all western governments are allowed to lull in the fact freedom of speech maybe expressed, yet never acted upon? Same old story be it in Iraq or the Occupied Teritories.

What can I do as a British citizen?

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Nader Qaimari
Email: Nader.Qaimari@gale.com
Profession: Editor
Country: USA

Comments

An excellent site! Gives me pride in Palestine and my people. May we forge into the future with our heads high and our hearts full. God bless all of you and may He grant you peace. I wish I could be there at your side, fighting for what is just and right.

Name: Dr John Newson
Email: jnewson@hebblethwaite-hall.fsserve.co.uk
Profession: psychologist, former scientist academic and priest
Country: England

Comments

A very clear and informative web-site, and a wonderful agency for justice, democracy and peace.

Name: Leon
Email: leonrbn@urbis.net.il
Profession: Israel
Country:

Comments

This year you've missed a historic chance to establish a Palestinian state, a unique opportunity, which will never return. Maybe, after 50 years... Thank your leader.

Name: Hasna Reda-Mekdashi
Email: hasna47@yahoo.com
Profession: Arab Women's publisher
Country: lebanon

Comments

This is a wonderful site.Thank you for the great efforts.All the best.

Name: Lina
Email: Lana0408@aol.com
Profession: student, Journalism major
Country: Palestinian in the US

Comments

Hi, I just wanted to say what a great site this is. There are tons of information that students like me can get from this site. Keep up the good work.

Lina

Name: myron  major ross
Email: deedsforpeace@yahoo.com
Profession: youth psychologist
Country: usa

Comments

keep up the great work.liberty and justice for all palestinians is very near.

Name: myroni major ross
Email: deedsforpeace@yahoo.com
Profession: youth psychologist
Country: usa

Comments

Every Palestinian is important.Each life lost is irreplacable and forever missed.The time has come to create a new reality so all my young friends can live and prosper in a fair,just and equal society.

Name: Dina Talhouni
Email: dtalhouni@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: United States of America

Comments

This website was extremely helpful to me because of its broad focus on the arts and performing arts of Arab society. It showed me what is happening on that side of the world in regards to music and art. I'm very impressed that a Arab organizations is finally focuses on some of our best traditions! Carry on the good work!

Name: James J. Algrant
Email: pajim@ime.net
Profession: Webmaster
Country: USA

Comments

I like your site and will place link to it on mine www.midcoastexchange.com

Best of luck

Name: GASTON YOUNGER
Email: Youngerfrancois@AOL.COM
Profession: Clerk
Country: Indianapolis, US

Comments

Your website is very educational in particular with issues dealing with PALESTINE. I am a long time supporter of the Palestinian struggle. I am very sad and ashame of the US Government complicity with Israel concerning the current situation in the Middle East. I fully support President Arafat call for an international observer force to PALESTINE due to the US partiality towards Israel and particular human rights violations committed by Israel. Mohammed Al Durrah's murder by Zionist criminals and countless other Palestinian youngsters deaths are another examples of the Jewish state barbaric and terroristic actions towards the Palestinian people starting with Deir Yassin massacre in the late 1940's. Due to the powerful American Jewish/Zionist lobby in the US Government and media, I am convinced the US cannot be an impartial observer to the Middle East situation. People of goodwill in the US and around the world are shocked by Mohammed Al Durrah's murder by Israeli military forces. I wish to extend my condolences to his father and to let him know his son's sacrifice to the noble Palestinian cause is very sherished. Despite Israel military superiority, it will never vanquish the Palestinian people will for justice and their God given rights to return to historical Palestine with its capital at AL QUDS AL SHARIFF.

Name: fiad
Email: ahfwan@arabia,com
Profession: engineer
Country: morocco

Comments

The letter to President Clinton was the most direct and stirring document to have come out of the Palestinian conflict since it's beginning. Everything that was written cannot be denied. My hope is now, Mr. Clinton, will come to some kind of meeting of the mind, (his) and fully understand what needs to be done and now. The conflict will not go away, the Palestinian people have a right to live, they have a right to their home and for fifty years this has been denied. I only hope and I pray, it will not take another fifty years for the American govenment to come to its senses and see for themselves, where they have an honest need to become involved. Honest, not bias. Again, a tremendous document.

Name: Queen Shibtu
Email: queenshibtu@opendiary.com
Profession: university lecturer
Country: Scotland

Comments

A superb web site. A great contribution toward ending the apartheid in Palestine, a site recommended to friends and colleagues. Thank you to the Miftah team

Name: Vanessa T.T. Lambrecht
Email: vttlambrecht@palestinemail.com
Profession: Project coordinator
Country: The Netherlands

Comments

Very good and detailed website!

Name: HAMED TM ALKHODARI
Email: hamed80_1999@arabia.com
Profession: A student of madicine
Country: Palestine

Comments

DEAR MIFTAH, REALLY I WAS AMAZED BY THIS WEB AND ITS FACTS PARTICUL. AS I JUST WANT TO WRITE DOWN A SUGGESTION HONESTLY, FIRST OF ALL, I HOPE THAT MIFTAH.COM WILL BE MUCH BETTER IF IT'S BEING FREELY ANOUNCED IN MAKTOOB.COM OR ARABIA.COM , AS I HAVE NOT RECOGNIZED YOUR WEB SITE ADDRESS OFFICIALLY, IT WAS ONLY A TITLE OF (( A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON BY ASHRAWI PH.D,)) BETWEEN SO MANY TITLES ON ARABIA.COM SITE. THAT'S IT AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING US THIS CHANCE AND THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION. SINCERELY, HAMED..

Name: HAMED TM ALKHODARI
Email: hamed80_1999@arabia.com
Profession: A student of madicine
Country: Palestine

Comments

DEAR MIFTAH, REALLY I WAS AMAZED BY THIS WEB AND ITS FACTS SURELY. AS I JUST WANT TO WRITE DOWN A SUGGESTION HONESTLY, FIRST OF ALL, I HOPE THAT MIFTAH.COM WILL BE MUCH BETTER IF IT'S BEING FREELY ANOUNCED IN MAKTOOB.COM OR ARABIA.COM , AS I HAVE NOT RECOGNIZED YOUR WEB SITE ADDRESS OFFICIALLY, IT WAS ONLY A TITLE OF (( A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON BY ASHRAWI PH.D,)) BETWEEN SO MANY TITLES ON ARABIA.COM SITE. THAT'S IT AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING US THIS CHANCE AND THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION. SINCERELY, HAMED..

Name: Mazen Irsheid
Email: mazen_dreamer@hotmail.com
Profession: Financial Analyst
Country: Palestine (living in Jordan)

Comments

This site is best directed to the western mind. I really appreciate the hard work dedicated by organizers that help reach our just voice to the world. GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. Long Live Palestine. Mazen Irsheid

Name: Mommen Walter
Email: walter.mommen@pandora.be
Profession: Teacher of catholic religion
Country: Belgium

Comments

Maby you can connect the petition with a counter.

Name: Mohd H.M.S.Hamid.
Email: mhms_h@arabia.com
Profession:
Country:

Comments

This is my first visit to your site and it's fantastic Hanan Ashrawi's letter to clinton is a wise move to make him think now rather than regret later although they always try to correct things whent its too late and when they are out of power hope clinton will take her advice. This is to encourage and congratulate your site and pray that your Palestine Home Land will come true sooner than later.......Ameen YARABBAL ALAMEEN. Yours sincerely, A concerned brother in Islam.

Name: Ruba Al-Amad
Email: rga06@aub.edu.lb
Profession: student
Country: palestine(studying in lebanon)

Comments

thank u for a very fulfilling and supportive website. and this is for hanan ashrawi, my biggest role model.. thank you, and may god bless you.

Name: Ammar Makboul
Email: ammar@brevet.nu
Profession: project leader
Country: Sweden

Comments

Thank you for a well done site. In solidarity,

Ammar Makboul

Name: Charles A. Homsy Sc.D.
Email: TPFAC@cs.com
Profession: Retired bio-engineer
Country: USA

Comments

I hve just learned of your site and will comment after study and reflection. I am a member of al-awda-media@egroups.com.

Name: charlie howell
Email: chowell@edge.net
Profession: CEO of NGO
Country: USA

Comments

Dr Ashrawi is the most respected spokesperson for the Palestinians available. Americans ask me when they can hear more from her.

Name: Beth Noland
Email: ehnoland@aol.com
Profession: minister
Country: USA

Comments

Fascinating site. Some of the links, however, are not always accessible, so I would hope that this will be corrected in time. But I am grateful for your work and witness and look forward to reading your postings. Again - thanks for an excellent piece of work and God bless you.

Name: Sveinn Runar Hauksson
Email: srhauks@isholf.is
Profession: family physician
Country: Iceland

Comments

MIFTAH is the page I most often turn to. Keep up the good work! Free Palestine! srh

Name: Salwa de Vree
Email:
Profession:
Country: The Netherlands

Comments

Great site, but needs to more up to date. Thank you and keep up the good work. 28/12/00

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

You instruct your readers to keep an eye on unfair and biased opinion pieces and news reports. No web page, with the exception perhaps of Hizbullah or Hammas, is more biased than your own supposedly enlightened one. Why do you only report Palestinian casualties? Why such historical revisionism, as when Ashrawi claims that the Palestinians have accepted 20% of "100% historical Palestine?" What on Earth is "historical Palestine?" Palestine was the name the Romans gave to an area of the Middle East which later came under Ottoman rule and , before the establishment of the State of Israel, was part of the British mandate. Do you suppose, Dr. Ashrawi, that all of your viewers and listeners are ignorant? You have not given the Israelis any "gift;" Only Israel can give you the "gift" of a Palestinian state, because we all know such an opportunity would not have arisen for your people without Israel. So, please, many of us consider you, Dr. Ashrawi, to be one of the few Palestinian intellectuals whom we can converse with. When you say that we have lost some elementary "human essence," and two human beings are lynched by Palestinian youth the following day, or a bus with children is deliberately bombed by your so-called "martyrs," even idiots begin to wonder what you are talking about. Not to speak of the most perverse distortion, rampant in the Arab world and among Palestinians, which makes a rapprochement between Zionism and Nazism. You, Dr. Ashrawi, recently made this link in one of your talks at an American University. Did we take away the Palestinians' "citizenship" from them? Obviously not, since there was no state which they could have been citizens of. German Jews and Polish Jews and Hungarian Jews were citizens of those respective countries, until some lunatic decided that they were unwanted. Were your assets looted? Were the Palestinians systematically murdered? No. Unfortunately I feel I have to educate you about the Holocaust, since I do not think you know enough in light of your pronouncements. Teach your youth about our aspirations, and then tell them that in attempting to fulfil them we wronged many of you. That, I can understand, and deem reconciliatory. But why such reductionism, as manifested by such slogans as "Yitbah al-Yahud?" Why such lack of cultivation on your radio broadcasts, your television programs, your press? THE HORROR! THE HORROR!

Name: Edward Hazboun
Email: Betsoc@aol.com
Profession: President, Bethlehem Association
Country: USA

Comments

On behalf of the Bethlehem Association I would like to commend your organisation for its good work to regain basic human rights for the Palestinian people. A few of us attended your lecture at the University of Pennsylvania in November. It was a great expose' ofthe "peace process" and its use by Israel to further consolidate its colonisation of the occupied territories. I was not able to see you after the lecture as you were surrounded by so may good wishers. By the way, I later heard an Israeli spokesman compare your speech with Golda Meir! I do not know if he meant it as a compliment?!

Your work on bringing respect of the law in Palestine is hindered by the fact that the courts cannot enforce their orders and they are swamped by archaic laws and stacked case loads. We pray that Miftah can help in resolving this crucial Judicial crsis.

We are very angry about the ongoing brutal oppression and killing of our people. We admire and applaud your work and wish you continued success.

The Bethlehem Association has an informative website <a src="http://www.bethlehemassoc.org>www.Bethlehemassoc.org</a>. We invite your readers to look us up.

Name: Edward Hazboun
Email: Betsoc@aol.com
Profession: President, Bethlehem Association
Country: USA

Comments

On behalf of the Bethlehem Association I would like to commend your organisation for its good work to regain basic human rights for the Palestinian people. A few of us attended your lecture at the University of Pennsylvania in November. It was a great expose' ofthe "peace process" and its use by Israel to further consolidate its colonisation of the occupied territories. I was not able to see you after the lecture as you were surrounded by so may good wishers. By the way, I later heard an Israeli spokesman compare your speech with Golda Meir! I do not know if he meant it as a compliment?!

Your work on bringing respect of the law in Palestine is hindered by the fact that the courts cannot enforce their orders and they are swamped by a mixture of archaic laws and stacked case loads. We pray that Miftah can help in resolving this crucial Judicial crsis.

We are very angry about the ongoing brutal oppression and killing of our people. We admire and applaud your work and wish you continued success.

The Bethlehem Association has an informative website http://www.bethlehemassoc.org/ We invite your readers to look us up.

Name: Yatmiatun
Email: atun@batam.shin-etsu.co.id
Profession: Employee
Country: Batam, Indonesia

Comments

Assalamu'alaikum wr. wb.

Iam Indonesian moeslem.. I just find this site ... I hope we can Tholabul 'ilmi and give information about Islam developments in out there.

Jazzakillah.. Wassalamu'alikum wr.wb.

Name: Yatmiatun
Email: atun@batam.shin-etsu.co.id
Profession: Employee
Country: Batam, Indonesia

Comments

Assalamu'alaikum wr. wb.

Iam Indonesian moeslem.. I just find this site ... I hope we can Tholabul 'ilmi and give information about Islam developments in out there.

Jazzakillah.. Wassalamu'alikum wr.wb.

Name: Sarah Rankin
Email: sarah.rankin@luton.ac.uk
Profession: Educator
Country: UK

Comments

The Israeli government has sunk to the depth of becoming war criminals, and assassination is not new behaviour, deceit and lies is the norm. The Miftah web site provides us swith the facts from a respected source. Long may that continue.

Name: Aliya Shariff
Email: ashariff@princeton.edu
Profession: student
Country: USA

Comments

A very useful and well designed website. The links section is particularly good. I'm writing my undergraduate thesis on the PNA, its development, political legitimacy and prospects for democratization. Are there any materials or contacts you could recommend to me? Thanks!

Name: Jihad
Email: Traya
Profession: Financial Analyst
Country: Canada

Comments

What Can I do To Help?

Name: ahmed
Email: ala@yahoo.com
Profession: aaaaa
Country: palestine

Comments

very good wb site

Name: Marlies Koetsier
Email: marlies.koetsier@kabelfoon.nl
Profession: house wife
Country: The Nederlands

Comments

I am 100% behind the palastine's.I hope someday they will life in peace.I hope you will keep me up date me of news.I love Hadeel'song I have many respect for dr Ashrawi.

Name: Omar Dajani
Email: omardajani@hotmail.com
Profession: Computer Instructor
Country: USA

Comments

I am so proud of your organization and the passionate commitment your board has. I've met several of your boardmembers at conventions in Washington, especially during the years that I headed the Orlando chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Please tell me how I can assist your efforts.

Sincerely,

Omar Dajani

Name: Jacques Gruman
Email: jacques@rionet.com.br
Profession: Chemical engineer
Country: Brazil

Comments

It is very important to support your site. We are flooded by daily one-sided informations, criticizing the so-called "barbarianism" of the palestinian people and absolving the intriguing military rule in Israel. As a progressive jew, I think that there is no alternative to dialogue. Better saying: the only alternative is death and pain. We must make the best of our efforts to build the road of understanding each other, basing our sight on justice and respect. Shalom / Salaam

Name: Dorie Southern
Email: doriesouthern@skynet.be
Profession: student/ mother
Country: American citizen

Comments

Your site is wonderful. I hope that you will continue to encourage Palestinians to express their serious grievances non-violently. Palestinians have a right to justice. There should be no letting up on the demand for justice and freedom. Neither the oppressed nor the oppressor are ever really free. Isn't it ironic that Israel will only benefit itself when the Palestinian people receive justice. I hope that incoming President Bush will do better than Clinton or even than his (Bush's) father did. It is time for Palestine to be born -- past time!

Name: Tsahi Asher
Email: in your dreams
Profession: student
Country: Israel (The Zionist Entity for you)

Comments

as a site that attempts to "promote global dialogue and democracy", you are doing a poor job. i don't know who do you cosider as your dialogue partner, but it can't be the Israeli Jews, because all you show in your site is propaganda against Israel, andthe kind of material that only insights hatred. and as for the democracy part: has any of you asked the Ra'is Arafat when does he plan to have elections? Israel had it's 1st elections while we were still under fire of our indipendence war. you had plenty of time in the last year to hold elections, if the Ra'is wanted to.

Live long and prosper.

Name: Ali Al-Halabiah
Email: imcaw@palnet.com
Profession: Information Officer
Country: Palestine

Comments

Our country needs your this work

Name: Lorne
Email:
Profession: Engineer
Country: Canada

Comments

If Allah truly intended for the Palestenians to have the land,

Why wouldn't he have it delivered into your hands back in 1948??

If Allah is truly the all mighty One God of the universe, why the charade of consistant warfare, alleged torture refugees etc.??

Name: Alexander
Email:
Profession: teacher
Country: USA

Comments

Response In Re: Miftah's Article on Ariel Sharon.

This response is addressed to the author of the abovementioned article (Dr. Ashrawi, I assume).

When you say that Sharon is willing to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority in the war against terrorism and proceed to parenthetically interpret this as "arrest[ing]" all those who reject Israeli occupation," you neglect to mention the scores of illiterate gunmen who reject Israeli _existence_. The Jihad and al-Fatah movements do not merely reject Israeli "occupation," or, if they do, then the entire modern State of Israel constitutes, in their view, one big occupation. They outwardly call for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. They are terrorists in every sense of the word, and therefore should be fought by anyone genuinely interested in peace. 2 - Offering the Palestinians economic cooperation is, for you, tantamount to using Palestinian workers as cheap labour for Israel. What would you have said were Sharon not to have suggested such cooperation? "Israel wishes to see a famished Palestinian population," or, " Israel has lost some elementary human essence," etc. The point being: Palestinians subsist on the work they perform in Israel. And they are not enslaved. Economic cooperation will benefit them more than it will benefit

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Economic cooperation will benefit Palestinians more than it will benefit Israelis. 3 - You even seem to be against cooperation to diminish incitement in the peoples' respective media, education systems, etc. Is it too much to ask of Palestinians to stop burning Israeli flags? To cease teaching their children that Jews have no right to "historical Palestine" (whatever that means)? TO DEMAND THAT YOUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS NOT CALL FOR THE SLAUGHTERING OF JEWS? Is it too much to ask that you educate a generation to respect Jewish yearnings as embodied in Zionist (yes, Zionist ) ideology?

Israelis have long ago embarked on a dialogue with the Palestinian narrative (witness our historians, virtually half of our politicians, our spiritual leaders in Israel and abroad, and, first and foremost, our artists and intellectuals). When have you shown any openness to _our_ narrative? In your famous slogan "Jews, Remember Khaibar?"

And yet we, for some reason, have to acknowledge a liberation movement so steeped in demagoguery and violence that its own "followers" fear it (witness the latest public assassinations of Palestinian "collaborators").

Teach your children that your mosques were built on the ruins of our synagogues, that Joseph was a Jew and not a Muslim, that our very language was antecedent to yours. Then, perhaps, upon nearing adulthood, carrying a gun in one hand and an olive branch in the other will no longer seem appropriate to them.

Name: Elizabeth Sayegh Naser
Email: Alisabatt
Profession: Garduate Student
Country: Florida/USA

Comments

Hi,

It is very well organized, up to the point and we need more so the world knows what is happening in Palestine from our prespective. the israeli's are broadcasting their position on issues by conducting lectures on our campus.., if it is possible please can you e-mail me Dr. Hanan Ashrawi e-mail.We would like to discuss with her some issues.I hope I will hear from you very soon.

Name: Elisabeth Sayegh Naser
Email: Alisabatt@hotmail.com
Profession: Graduate Student
Country: Florida USA

Comments

Hi, We are having a guest speaker from Haifa (Benjamin Eden) who is going to lecture about "ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS' , AND MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD LIKE SOME SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT, SO WE CAN BE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND PRESENT INFORMATION THAT ARE REAL, FROM THE PALESTINIAN PRESPECTIVE. HE WILL BE COMING ON JANUUARY 31, and we hope that we will have the information sooner.. we pray that you can help. thanks

Name: Sami Mashney
Email: sami@mashneylaw.com
Profession: Attorney
Country: USA

Comments

Congratulations on your quality work.

May be we will find our leader.

Name: Nabil Bouchareb
Email: KingNabile@aol.com
Profession: Student
Country: USA

Comments

www.btselem.org israeli human rights group based in Israel. Miftah is got to be one of the most comprehencive sites I've came across yet.I Think everone knows there no Israeli spin or propaganda that can smear resoultions 192,242,338.

Name: Dr.rer.nat.  Said Essaid
Email: sessaid@freenet.de
Profession: geologist
Country: Berlin / Germany

Comments

You have my full support

Name: Steve Brook
Email: sjbrook@netlink.com.au
Profession: Journalist
Country: Australia

Comments

PLEASE FORWARD TO HANAN ASHRAWI!

Dear Dr. Ashrawi,

I am a member of the Australian Jewish Democratic Society, a smallish body on the Left of Jewish community politics in Australia. For years, the AJDS has campaigned for a negotiated peace with justice for all in the Middle East. Most of our members are horrified at the election of Ariel Sharon to office in Israel.

On Sunday. February 25 we will be organising a forum on the results of the Israeli elections, and Uri Avneri has already agreed to take part in a phone link-up. Would it be possible for you to send a succinct written message expressing your viewpoint to the forum? This could be done by email.

A personal note: I was a member of your audience in Melbourne a couple of years ago, and I remember telling friends later that if the Israelis had a few clones of Hanan Ashrawi on their side...

Respectfully

Steve Brook, Melbourne.

Name: Steve Brook
Email: sjbrook@netlink.com.au
Profession: Freelance journalist
Country: Australia

Comments

Dear Miftah!

A few hours ago, I sent a message to be forwarded to Dr. Ashrawi. However it was sent in haste, and I neglected to attach an address for replying. So here it is:

secretary@ajds.org.au

It would be appreciated if a copy of your reply could be sent to my email address also.

For the AJDS's bona fides, you could check with Jonathan Kuttab, who addressed a meeting of our members in Melbourne a few years ago. I had the privilege of meeting him at that time.

Best wishes,

Steve Brook.

Name: Ty S. Wahab Twibell
Email: tytwibell@kcbusinesslaw.com
Profession: Law
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

Enjoyed your website. It is organized well and puts forth some very good information in a credible concise manner in a wide variety of arens and truly reflects the quality of some of the members of the Board of Trustess that I have come to know.

Name: Bernard Marcazzo
Email: marcazzo@bluewin.ch
Profession: Retired
Country: Switzerland

Comments

It is time for Israel to start paying for violations of international law and human rights. Terry Anderason was awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in his lawsuit against Iran for his captivity in Beirut. I strongly suggest that an initial lawsuit be brought against Israel in New York Federal Court by the El Khiyam victims of torture and captivity, without charges being brought against them or trial. Under U.S. law, victims of human rights violations can seek recompense from foreign governments. This would be an excellent initial suit against Israel to be followed by a multitude of further cases by victims of Israeli terrorism. The El Khiyam victims should sue for at least $100 billion which is in line with Terry Anderson's award. The U.S. and Israel only understand money; Palestinian lives have no meaning to them. A viable lawsuit would have greater effect than anything an Intifada can accomplish.

Name: THOUGHTFULDUDE
Email: @AOL.COM
Profession: CONSULTANT
Country: UK

Comments

Your site looks very professional and well presented.

I think that most of the independant thinkers of this world believe your cause is right. However I believe most people believe also that two wrongs don't make a right. If only your brave people wouldn't retaliate.

Name: Mir Tohid
Email: mtohidn@yahoo.com
Profession:
Country: Iran

Comments

Name: Samer Elsamnah
Email: selsamna@yahoo.com
Profession: Manufacturing
Country: Canada

Comments

Excellent site. I wish more people had access to this site to see what is going on with our people. May Allah give you the power to keep doing what you are doing.

Name: Tom Gardner
Email: tng@mediaed.org
Profession: media educator
Country: USA

Comments

Excellent site. Full of vital information. Wish you the very best.

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

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Name: Lyn Contresceri
Email: gdragon@pacbell.net
Profession: Administrative Assnt - CPA
Country: US

Comments

After speaking with a Palestinian client, I realized I knew absolutely nothing about the Palestinian government, its objectives and the Palestinians living abroad. As an American who is consistently bombarded with Middle East and anti-Palestinian news, I realize I need to know more about this "paper-tiger" we are being told about.

I would also appreciate knowing about any English language publication(s) within the US that I can receive.

More than one viewpoint needs to be apparent when looking at situations. Thank you.

Name: Hazem Jamjoum
Email: hjamjoum@trinity.utoronto.ca
Profession: Student
Country: Canada

Comments

This is a very good website. People working for any cause should have as much information available to them as possible, and this website helps a great deal in the case of Palestine.

In Solidarity

Name: carlosjuma
Email: juma
Profession:
Country:

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Name: carlosjuma
Email: jumamentado@airtel.net
Profession: doctor (neurologist)
Country: canary islands (Spain)

Comments

congratulations. at last.... I have been searching for an non-corrupt organization in Palestine and I hope you will stand up and going on. As son of a palestinian emigrant (1930,dic) I feel very proud of my genetics links and I do what I can in Palestinian relantioships here, in Canary Islands. I knew of you reading an interview with Mrs. Hanan Ashrawi at the "El MUNDO" newspaper (Madrid). Really fantastic. Now, thanks to "El PAIS" newspaper I could contact with you. Here I am.....

Name: Habeeb Awad
Email: awadh@webmail.hope.edu
Profession: Int'l Student Advisor
Country: USA

Comments

I really enjoy reading the most updated comments and news through your personal reflections and thoughts. Your reflections are powerful, moving and eye opener. I do inform my friends, in US, about your website and engarage them to login into your website. Keep up the good work. Thanks and God bless

Name: Dr. Said Essaid
Email: sessaid@freenet.de
Profession: Geologist
Country: Berlin / Germany

Comments

Highly professional and very convincing. Keep it up. My very best and sincere wishes.

Name: Stephanie Varnado
Email: steph684@bellsouth.net
Profession: Community Activist
Country: US

Comments

I am searching for a connection point here in the US where my skills can be used to change American perceptions on the Palestinian issue. I want to educate and lobby. If you know of an existing organization that I can connect to it would be helpful. I live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Thank you,

Name: mike nazha
Email: mnazzah@hotmail.com
Profession: Engineer
Country: USA

Comments

The injustice and brutal treatment of Palestinians is the most trajedy ever been recorded in history !! My sincere support and hope for all M.E. and Palestinians to live in peace and prosperity.

Mike Nazha

Name: Richard O'Rourke Simons
Email: lateoctober@earthlink.net
Profession: Commercial painter
Country: USA

Comments

A most superb and imformative website.I have book- marked it along with some other fine pro-Palestinian websites (Palestine Media Watch and Al-Awda). Keep up the good work and never give up fighting-the-good -fight! Many blessings to you all.

Salaam Richard

Name: sdfgfg
Email: sdfgf
Profession: sfdg
Country: sdfgsdf

Comments

sdfgsfdg

Name: Caroline Al-Ashhab
Email: c_al_ashhab@hotmail.com
Profession: Computer Teacher
Country: Vancouver, BC  Canada

Comments

God bless you !

Name: cRiMiNaL
Email: samad@fsmail.net
Profession: Computer Technician
Country: England

Comments

786 My opinion on Kofi Anan the reprentive of properganda:

Why is kofi anan more interested in the budda statu in afghanistan then the oppressed, besieged, innocent, women, children and men of illegally occupied Palastine....

The country that i live in... if i was to treat my dog the way the palastinians are treated i would either get fined or go to jail. YET why dont people take any action toward nazi israel.

i am very very sorry but the media is unjust they brand all the palastinians whether they are women, children or men as terrorists yet they dont look at it from there point of view. they are only protecting themselves from the snake they have to fight for their freedom. they are not terorists but freedom fighters.......

question: what is the difference between Israel and Hitler.

Answer: nothing? exept hitler was more just.

Name: moh'd  kubbajeh
Email: mohd@libero.it
Profession: Medicine doctor, cardiologist
Country: italy

Comments

it is a good site

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

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Name: Amani Saleh
Email: asaleh@birzeit.edu
Profession: Adminstrative
Country: Ramallah - Palestine

Comments

Well .. its really nice site .... alla ma'okum go a head ...

Name: bernard marcazzo
Email: marcazzo@bluewin.ch
Profession: retired
Country: switzerland

Comments

1. The Palestinians who have been tortured; whose property has been stolen; whose rights have been violated, must sue Israel in appropriate courts for damages. 2. When places like Ramallah are isolated by Israeli military action, signs should be put up around the city "Warsaw Ghetto"; when Gaza is cut off, signs should be put up along the roads, "Gaza Conzentrations Lager". For indeed the Israelis are treating the same way the Nazis treated the Jews; only the death is slower. Palestinians must gain the upper hand in the competition for world opinion. 3. Do not count on the United States for a solution. Every member of the U.S. Congress will, pardon the expression, line up to kiss Sharon's bum. This will never change. All Sh'ite muslims are considered terrorists by the United States. It is part of their history of bigotry. Focus should be aimed on the E.U. and other nations for assistance. The U.S. does not care about your cause at all. 4. As you already know, Sharon does not want peace; never wanted peace; and will never be satisfied until you are defeated. 5. Chairman Arafat should step down. He will not win sympathy for the Palestinian cause. There are many intelligent people among you who can give your cause a more rational and globally acceptable leadership. An entirely new and aggressive marketing approach is needed to sell the cause. 6. I really wish I could be of more help to your very just cause.

Name: Queen Shibtu
Email: queen.shibtu@btinternet.com
Profession: Educator
Country: UK

Comments

The Palestinian people have no democratic rights, they are hounded by an occupying power and the period ahead under the Sharon coalition government already provides evidence that their very existence as a people is in greater jeopardy. Threats about the latter have been made by some members of the Israeli government and those cannot be ignored by being relegated to the crazy meanderings of elderly eccentrics. Sharon is a man of the ancient past and Israel has no future under this outmoded style of leadership guaranteed to turn it into a pariah state. The latter will be a self inflicted wound. As for the international community, it is becoming evident that our leaders are at last beginning to wake up, overdue trhough it may be and let us hope they are not deceived into thinking Sharon has undergone some kind of metamophosis! His ideology is intact. http://www.angelfire.com/trek/eastern1tales/newindex

Name: naser makhlouf
Email: makhlouf@cantv.net
Profession: salesman
Country: venezuela

Comments

some of these articles should be accisible to surfers beyond this site

Name: Fadi Fukaha
Email: hobi7@hotmail.com
Profession: computer graduated
Country: Palestine

Comments

Palestine For Arab

Name: Dr. Marvin F. Zayed
Email: DIAHUMANISM@CANADA.COM
Profession: Prof. of philosophy, Founder & President of Canadian DiaHumnaism/ Free Thoguht&Human Rights Research Centre
Country: Canada

Comments

I was touched by your the quality of your work. Our mail address is : PO.BOX 339 STATION-A, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, K1N-8V3. PHONE/ FAX (613)239-0454 Regards.

Name: Dr. Marvin F. Zayed
Email: DIAHUMANISM@CANADA.COM
Profession: Prof. of philosophy, Founder & President of Canadian DiaHumnaism/ Free Thoguht&Human Rights Research Centre
Country: Canada

Comments

I was touched by your the quality of your work. Our mail address is : PO.BOX 339 STATION-A, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, K1N-8V3. PHONE/ FAX (613)239-0454 Regards.

Name: Dr. Marvin F. Zayed
Email: DIAHUMANISM@CANADA.COM
Profession: Prof. Of Philosophy, Founder&President of  Canadian DiaHumanism / Free Thought Archive&Human Rights Research Centre
Country: Canada

Comments

I was touched by your the quality of your work. Our mail address is : PO.BOX 339 STATION-A, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, K1N-8V3. PHONE/ FAX (613)239-0454 Regards.

Name: Dr. Marvin F. Zayed
Email: DIAHUMANISM@CANADA.COM
Profession: Prof. Of Philosophy, Founder&President of  Canadian DiaHumanism / Free Thought Archive&Human Rights Research Centre
Country: Canada

Comments

I was touched by your the quality of your work. Our mail address is : PO.BOX 339 STATION-A, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, K1N-8V3. PHONE/ FAX (613)239-0454 Regards.

Name: elfia desy ariany
Email: zack80@lovemail.com
Profession: student
Country: Indonesia

Comments

send free magazine madicine to Elfia desy ariani Jl. A yani gg purnama no 4 (Ibu Ismail) Banjarbaru Kalimantan Selatan or Fakultas kedokteran Universitas Lambung mangkurat Banjarbaru Kalimantan selatan.

Name: Donald E Gillespie Jr
Email: donegill@yahoo.com
Profession: Attorney at Law
Country: USA

Comments

I am increasingly distressed by the one-sided nature of commetary available to me in the US. I am appalled at the cheerful predations of settlers on all other inhabitants in the Occupied Territories. I am disgusted that Sharon has the Republicans buying the "fight against terrorism" since that is simple code for all resistance to any Israeli policy. I do not see enough comparison between Israel and South African apartheid or US 19th century policy regarding American Indians ("the only good injun is a dead injun.") I do not see any comment on the blending of church and state which denies opponents of Israeli policy from speaking boldly in the US. What can we do? Your group appears to be careful and balanced. DG

Name: Rania Gazawi
Email: rania_g@qwest.net
Profession: Law Student
Country: United States

Comments

As a Christian Palestinian living in the United States, I am every day faced with the one-sided, misinformed, and sickening pro-Israel media. I am also daily faced with the general ignorance of the American people when it comes to all issues Middle Eastern. That is why it is so refreshing and empowering to come across a site such as this one, that is not only informative, but also brave.

My experience has been that once people become informed about Palestinian history and culture and the TRUE root of the conflict, they have no humanitarian choice but to side with the Palestinians. So, I thank you for creating this site. I often direct people to it in the hope that it will help them to better understand the current situation. And thank you to Dr. Hanan Ashrawi and Dr. Edward Said, my intellectual heroes and the two people who give me the most hope that there will someday be a just peace for all Palestinians in our homeland.

Sincerely,

Rania Gazawi

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Name: Tarech Reheem
Email: tarech@isber.ucsb.edu
Profession: photographer, administrator
Country: US

Comments

3.29.2001 May all the strength, courage and love of good people unite to thwart the barbaric occupation of Palestine. Thank you for placing Dr. Hanan Ashrawi's writing in front of the world. I will do my best to give the widest distribution to these writings. God bless you and protect you in these terrible times.

Name: Elizabeth Robinson
Email: elizabeth.robinson@as.ucsb.edu
Profession: Community radio broadcaster
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for your work, especially under such difficult circumstances. Even though it may seem that the US is horribly biased in its policies in the Middle East, there are many of us who do not support or government's positions and share your committment to democracy.

With best wishes, Elizabeth Robinson

Name: Rim Banna
Email: rim@rimbanna.com
Profession: Singer & Composer
Country: Palestine - Nazareth

Comments

wellcoming your efforts, we are supporting you. I would like to know if it's possible to have a link in the culture links on your site, to know more, visit my web site: www.rimbanna.com Thanks.

Name: Jesse Dudley
Email: ngdudley@earthlink.net
Profession: phd candidate chinese history
Country: united states of america

Comments

I am very grateful that you have set up this very informative site. There is very little balanced reporting on the situation of the Palestinians available in the mass media. Please keep up your good work.

Name: mustafa owaynat
Email: abupalestine@msn.com
Profession: journalist
Country: usa

Comments

what you are doing is very important to our cause we at almahjar arabic newspaper at yuor service with any thing we can do our ph# (708)233-1303 fax (708)233-1302

Name: mustafa owaynat
Email: abupalestine@msn.com
Profession: journalist
Country: usa

Comments

what you are doing is very important to our cause we at almahjar arabic newspaper at yuor service with any thing we can do our ph# (708)233-1303 fax (708)233-1302

Name: mustafa owaynat
Email: abupalestine@msn.com
Profession: journalist
Country: usa

Comments

what you are doing is very important to our cause we at almahjar arabic newspaper at yuor service with any thing we can do our ph# (708)233-1303 fax (708)233-1302 please say hello to Dr hanan ashrawi we hope she is our next president.

Name: Hakam Shahwan
Email: Hakam@pashasofjerusalem.com
Profession: Businessman
Country: Palestine

Comments

As a Palestinian, I remain so proud to see such an institution working mainly to show the truth to the International community. I still believe that our main problem is the Israeli and Jewish control over the International Media. It is so deeply sad to see that the suffering of a nations is simply translated in the eyes of the international community into words of Terrror and violence. Adding insult to the injury is always our case. We are the victims and are treated as agressors.

I believe that there is a great role for the International Organisations working in our country on the basis of International laws and conventions. It is our role also to put pressure on those organisations namely the International Committee of the Red Cross. It is legally the only international body that represents the Geneva Conventions and mandated as such. How can we just accept their visit to the Israeli settlements to assess the so called damage by the Palestinian gunmen. That is a crime directed at the Palestinian women and children and yet another slap in our face.

Name: Jean Rogers
Email: jroger14@tampabay.rr.com
Profession: Community theatre
Country: USA

Comments

Folks: After over 20 years working to bring attention to the illegal occupation, my husband and I have decided that Israel is a hired assassin like those that were hired by Mafia goons like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, both now deceased, but you get the idea; the United States is like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, or who hire the assassins to do their dirty work. The US pays the Israelis (the willing assassins) to do its dirty work. Period. If this were not the case, then the United States would have stopped rewarding Israel for its war crimes, a long time ago, while other nations are attacked for the same thing Israel does with impunity.

It dawned upon us like being struck dumb, and we felt we had wasted years of energy and letter writing and talks by going after Israel when the real culprit is the United States. It is as simple as that.

It does not matter how much money AIPAC gives except to line the pockets of the greedy elected officials. The Arab world, if it were serious about peace, would start their own lobby, start advertising, start boycotting Israel, start doing SOMEthing concrete.

The US State Department has long considered the occupation illegal - obvoiusly words only. Because even with those accusations coming out in the Country Reports,the US has done NOTHing to stop the confiscations, the murders, the torture, the breaking of children's bones during Rabin's reign, the collective punishments, during the times of all of Israel's leaders, all considered war criminals if judged like leaders of the rest of the world are judged. If we really want this madness to stop, every one of us needs to approach the United States in an organized manner, and let it know that we are no longer dummies, that we realize at long last that it does not matter what Israel does, the United States is behind the massacres and confiscations because it furnishes the money.

Ted Turner recently remarked that the US does not go after a country that can fight back, like China (imagine what would be happening if the current problem with China had involved Iraq, although we do not sanction bombing China). But just imagine for a moment. And then Mr. Turner said that the US always goes after small helpless places like Grenada for instance, and he said that next it would probably go after the Palestinians. And a few days later, that is exactly what happened. Israel, with US weapons and money and with the knowledge that the US would do NOTHing, began attacking Palestinians living under an illegal occupation. If anyone thinks this is not true, just look back. The US has really done NOTHing to Israel all these years. Fed up, we wrote to our President Bush and asked him if he thought God had anything to do with Israel's bombing of Palestinians. And we said if he did, then stop all aid to Israel and see how many missiles God continues to send.

The gig is up. When "Mad-dog Sharon" took hundreds of Israeli militia to the Dome of the Rock, it was planned. It was planned to start a riot, which it did. It was planned by Israel and with the blessing of the United States. That's why the United States did NOTHing just as it has always done. It has NEVER withdrawn funding of billions of American taxpayer dollars.

There has been NO peace process. It was all a facade. President Arafat was duped into thinking there was a peace process. One cannot trust thugs and those who pay the thugs to do their dirty work can they? They will say one thing and do another.

All this time, the settlements have continued, the confiscations have continued. We seriously doubt anyone could have done anything from the Palestine side unless all of the Arab world came to its senses and demanded the United States force Israel out of the occupied territories. The Palestinians are powerless.

This is a travesty. The Arab world needs to look at what the United States has ignored and for how long. There is no need for them to talk peace any longer. For there is no peace. There was never plans for peace, except a piece of Egypt, a piece of Lebanon, a piece of Syria and more if possible, including a piece of Iraq.

Either convince the Arab world to rise up and go before the US courts and the United States president or forget it. The Arabs have the money to put ads in the major newspapers telling what has happened and is happening to Palestinians, how many Arabs were slaughtered in Lebanon. If the Arabs don't care, why do they think the American public is going to care? Many more Americans care now than before because of the internet information, but many more need to be informed through the media. But now, it's so clear that America is behind the slaughters, why go on unless the Arab world stands up for what is right.

And for goodness sake, get someone who can speak good English, like Dr. Hanan Ashrawi because Americans are not bilingual and are more apt to listen to someone speaking good English from the Middle East, someone living under the occupation. Get Dr.Ashrawi and Dr. Haider Abdel Shafi, both of them, over and over again on television and speaking out in the newspapers. The Americans will rally around if it sees the Arab world stand up for what is right. Have a mass demonstration, start sending letters to President Bush and the elected officials. Get the support of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, get them to publicize these new coordinated efforts. And NO we do not want to spearhead it. Get former President Jimmy Carter or Ted Turner or someone well known. Either of them would likely come on board IF they saw the Arab World come together for justice. So saddened and so angry about the increased military attacks on Palestinians. Jean Rogers

Name: Jean Rogers
Email: jroger14@tampabay.rr.com
Profession: Community theatre
Country: USA

Comments

Folks: After over 20 years working to bring attention to the illegal occupation, my husband and I have decided that Israel is a hired assassin like those that were hired by Mafia goons like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, both now deceased, but you get the idea; the United States is like Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel, or who hire the assassins to do their dirty work. The US pays the Israelis (the willing assassins) to do its dirty work. Period. If this were not the case, then the United States would have stopped rewarding Israel for its war crimes, a long time ago, while other nations are attacked for the same thing Israel does with impunity.

It dawned upon us like being struck dumb, and we felt we had wasted years of energy and letter writing and talks by going after Israel when the real culprit is the United States. It is as simple as that.

It does not matter how much money AIPAC gives except to line the pockets of the greedy elected officials. The Arab world, if it were serious about peace, would start their own lobby, start advertising, start boycotting Israel, start doing SOMEthing concrete.

The US State Department has long considered the occupation illegal - obvoiusly words only. Because even with those accusations coming out in the Country Reports,the US has done NOTHing to stop the confiscations, the murders, the torture, the breaking of children's bones during Rabin's reign, the collective punishments, during the times of all of Israel's leaders, all considered war criminals if judged like leaders of the rest of the world are judged. If we really want this madness to stop, every one of us needs to approach the United States in an organized manner, and let it know that we are no longer dummies, that we realize at long last that it does not matter what Israel does, the United States is behind the massacres and confiscations because it furnishes the money.

Ted Turner recently remarked that the US does not go after a country that can fight back, like China (imagine what would be happening if the current problem with China had involved Iraq, although we do not sanction bombing China). But just imagine for a moment. And then Mr. Turner said that the US always goes after small helpless places like Grenada for instance, and he said that next it would probably go after the Palestinians. And a few days later, that is exactly what happened. Israel, with US weapons and money and with the knowledge that the US would do NOTHing, began attacking Palestinians living under an illegal occupation. If anyone thinks this is not true, just look back. The US has really done NOTHing to Israel all these years. Fed up, we wrote to our President Bush and asked him if he thought God had anything to do with Israel's bombing of Palestinians. And we said if he did, then stop all aid to Israel and see how many missiles God continues to send.

The gig is up. When "Mad-dog Sharon" took hundreds of Israeli militia to the Dome of the Rock, it was planned. It was planned to start a riot, which it did. It was planned by Israel and with the blessing of the United States. That's why the United States did NOTHing just as it has always done. It has NEVER withdrawn funding of billions of American taxpayer dollars.

There has been NO peace process. It was all a facade. President Arafat was duped into thinking there was a peace process. One cannot trust thugs and those who pay the thugs to do their dirty work can they? They will say one thing and do another.

All this time, the settlements have continued, the confiscations have continued. We seriously doubt anyone could have done anything from the Palestine side unless all of the Arab world came to its senses and demanded the United States force Israel out of the occupied territories. The Palestinians are powerless.

This is a travesty. The Arab world needs to look at what the United States has ignored and for how long. There is no need for them to talk peace any longer. For there is no peace. There was never plans for peace, except a piece of Egypt, a piece of Lebanon, a piece of Syria and more if possible, including a piece of Iraq.

Either convince the Arab world to rise up and go before the US courts and the United States president or forget it. The Arabs have the money to put ads in the major newspapers telling what has happened and is happening to Palestinians, how many Arabs were slaughtered in Lebanon. If the Arabs don't care, why do they think the American public is going to care? Many more Americans care now than before because of the internet information, but many more need to be informed through the media. But now, it's so clear that America is behind the slaughters, why go on unless the Arab world stands up for what is right.

And for goodness sake, get someone who can speak good English, like Dr. Hanan Ashrawi because Americans are not bilingual and are more apt to listen to someone speaking good English from the Middle East, someone living under the occupation. Get Dr.Ashrawi and Dr. Haider Abdel Shafi, both of them, over and over again on television and speaking out in the newspapers. The Americans will rally around if it sees the Arab world stand up for what is right. Have a mass demonstration, start sending letters to President Bush and the elected officials. Get the support of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, get them to publicize these new coordinated efforts. And NO we do not want to spearhead it. Get former President Jimmy Carter or Ted Turner or someone well known. Either of them would likely come on board IF they saw the Arab World come together for justice. So saddened and so angry about the increased military attacks on Palestinians. Jean Rogers

Name: Patrick W. Ostergren
Email: mastergren
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Patrick W. Ostergren
Email: mastergren@uswest.net
Profession: law student
Country: United States

Comments

I enjoyed your site. I want your organization to know that many Americans are aware of the situation in Palestine. I study to try and understand Palestine's history and current political climate. However, many Americans do not know or do not understand the complex religious, political, historical, and most importantly, human rights issues present in the conflict. I am very sorry for my country's record of support for Israel and hope that the Palestinians know that many of us Americans lift our glasses and say...next year in Palestine! Education of the non-jewish and non-Arab world is the key to ending the oppresion the Palestinians have suffered at the hands of israel. If I can help (besides trying to explain to interested Americans the truth) in any way...let me know... Patrick W. Ostergren, Minneapolis Minnesota USA II

Name: Rebecca Abou-Chedid
Email: raa10@cornell.edu
Profession: student
Country: usa

Comments

This is a wonderful site, full of very valuable resources. it would be very benfecial for university organizations if the fact sheets were formatted to be printed on a single sheet of paper so that we can make many copies to distribute on our campuses. thank you

Name: carlos juma mentado
Email: jumamentado@
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: carlos juma mentado
Email: jumamentado@airtel.net
Profession: neurologist
Country: spain

Comments

bravo.I am wating for an answer from you.greetings.

Name: June Hamersma
Email: hamj@calvin.edu
Profession: Director, The January Series of Calvin College
Country: USA

Comments

Great website! The updated information is wonderful! This is a message for Hanan. Would she be interested in coming to Calvin College and speaking on The January Series once again? So much has happened since your visit here in 1997. Please pass this on to Hanan. I would be so greatful.

Sincerely, June Hamersma, Director The January Series of Calvin College 3201 Burton Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Ph. (616) 957-70918 Fax: (616) 957-6577

Name: Maria Yazbak
Email: ismly@emory.edu
Profession: Business Analyst
Country: USA

Comments

I happened to find your site while looking for information on Dr. Ashrawi; site is informative on the Palestinian struggle. Dr. Ashrawi's "Sharon's Message to the Palestinian People" is quite thought provoking. Thank you.

Name: Ibrahim
Email: ialmohandes@netscape.net
Profession: Engineer
Country: Canada

Comments

It's a great and very informative site. Keep going on...

Name: Ema Nymton
Email: thezionist@yahoo.com
Profession: NA
Country: NA

Comments

Peace: The absence of WAR not the absence of ennemy.

It would be a mistake to portrait Israel as the Lucky party. Indid Israel has had his shared of Death and has never initiated war. These were new times back in 1993. Israel won all the wars, concquered the land of its ennemies and started the process of giving it back (most of it at least). The new generation in Gaza and the west bank should have been educated for the peace era. So why? why? tell me why war, why educated hatred to these children:

Name: Marwan Daoud Hanania
Email: hanania@fas.harvard.edu
Profession: Graduate student, Harvard University
Country: USA (Palestinian-Jordanian citizen of Jordan)

Comments

A great web site reflecting both effort and inititiative.

Comments

Name: Klaas Punt
Email: punt@xs4all.nl
Profession: IT Consultant
Country: Netherlands

Comments

Could you please remove the face of Sharon from your main page. It's been days now, and I don't want to be greeted every time I enter MIFTAH by this ugly picture. Please?

Name: Rob Barnett
Email: maijarb@gilanet.com
Profession: Student
Country: USA

Comments

Bombarded by biased US media coverage against the Palestinians, your website is a welcome haven from the lies. As a student of international relations, I frequently visit your site to further educate myself. And what a great education I've received. Thank you.

Name: George David Cecil
Email: drcecil@aol.com
Profession: Software
Country: United States

Comments

I understand the need of the Palistinians to acheive peace and justice and that Chairman Arafat is working on this. But how do you explain these boats smuggling arms which are clearly listed in the Oslo Accord as illegal? These would only escelate the ugly violence on all sides!!!

I am confused and would like to help but please explain.

Name: George David Cecil
Email: drcecil@aol.com
Profession: Software engineer.
Country: United States

Comments

I support your search for peace and the work of Chairman Arafat but how do you explain to others the boat that was caught in international waters smuggling large quantities of very very dangerous arms into Gaza? This was clearly a violation of the Oslo Peace Accord.

What can you say about this?

Name: Steve Applebaugh
Email: snlapple@aol.com
Profession: School teacher; physician assistant
Country: USA

Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed perusing your great web site. I was trying to find current events and activities, perhaps even opportunities to join Miftah, without much luck. I developed a fear that perhaps you are repressed -- much like all Palestinians? I pray not! Is Miftah up and running? May I inquire here about opportunities to join your efforts?

Thanks! Steve Applebaugh

Name: Tamara H.
Email: Al-Haleest@nda.org
Profession: student
Country: USA

Comments

Congrats on the site...nice job. Pali forever;

Name: Luai Jaffal
Email: jardelao@libero.it
Profession: student
Country: Italy

Comments

I feel strongly palestinian, after 10 years living as immigrant in Italy, I will come back home to share every thing with my lover PATRIA

HASTA LA VICTORIA SIEMPRE

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Rach Terry
Email: rachterry@aol.com
Profession: An Actory - Business
Country: USA

Comments

Do the Palestinians Deserve a State? by Naomi Ragen (April 6, 2001)

It has become axiomatic since Oslo that there is a Palestinian people, and that they are oppressed and disenfranchised and deserve to express their national identity through a state of their own. This state is to be housed on the lands captured by Israel in the Six Day War, and run by the Palestinian Authority headed by Yasir Arafat.

Let’s think about this. In the light of recent events, what kind of state can we expect the Palestinian people to establish?

A state which has no respect for human life, where small children are inculcated with hate for other peoples and religions and cultures. Where they attend summer camps in which they are taught that to be a suicide bomber is the highest form of religious expression. Where they are taken to the front to get themselves shot for the sake of photo ops, and where their parents get paid blood money for child sacrifice.

A state in which people regularly murder women for infractions of male honor codes. A place where a brother will stab a sister he suspects of sexual misconduct, while his mother and father look on in approval. A state where domestic abuse isn’t a problem, it’s a way of life, and where battered women are the norm. This, if they are lucky, because the Taliban, another extremist Moslem state in which the participants are exercising their national identity, have made women virtual slaves, denying them education, medical care, employment, and freedom of movement and expression.

A state in which summary executions are carried out without due process.

A state which defends shattering the skulls of infants in their mothers arms.

A state in which hands dipped in the blood of lynch mob victims are raised to cheering crowds.

A state in which education consists of hate-mongering textbooks.

A state run by corrupt officials who literally get away with murder, while pocketing all monies collected to alleviate the suffering of the hungry, unemployed and unskilled.

And to those who say that the Palestinian people are not to blame, but their leadership, I would like to point out that the Palestinian people has chosen, and continues to choose, its leadership every day by passively accepting the dictates of the Palestinian Authority with Yasir Arafat at its head. There are enough guns and ammunition in the hands of enough people to cause Arafat quite a bit of trouble should the Palestinian people choose to change its leadership.

I would like to say to all those progressive, liberal people whose hearts yearn to see a Palestinian State set up in the West Bank and Gaza, what is the matter with you? Does the world really need yet one more corrupt state of Moslem extremists to misconstrue their own religion, and dishonor the religion and cultural artifacts of others? Do we really need to empower yet another murderous, corrupt, inhumane regime and give it legitimacy? To what end? And to whose benefit?

The Palestinian people may have earned themselves the curse of living in such a state, but can the world, in good conscience, really agree to let them have it?

The truth is, that anyone who really cares about the Palestinians, anyone with an ounce of real humanism, liberalism, or humanity at all, should oppose the establishment of a Palestinian State under current conditions with every fiber of their being.

Because nobody deserves the kind of state that Yasir Arafat and his henchman have created. Not even the Palestinian people.

Copyright © 2001 Naomi Ragen Last modified: April 15, 2001

Name: Anna Notton
Email: anna_notton@yahoo
Profession: Trainer
Country: New Zealand

Comments

Hi there thankyou for providing this site. As A jew I am commited to supporting this cause, as many Jews were killed in the holocaust, and now Israel is carrying out their own holocaust, with Palestinian's as the victims.

Name: Alex Svenson
Email:
Profession: Journalist
Country: Sweden

Comments

In Re: "Sound Breaking Levels"

How characteristic a feature of this Website (which I consider to be among the least biased), and of Palestinian "perspectives" in general, that today's terrorist attack in Netanya, which resulted in 5 deaths and tens of others injured, is not mentioned. You are probably among many who believe that Israel's retaliation today was excessive, just as Russia's dealing with the Chechniyans may have been excessive, or Turkey's with the Kurds, or the USA's with Serbia and Iraq, etc. But you tarnish your own credibility when you fail to place events within their proper context. Is it that you do not want to assume the burden of terminology? Indeed, the non-Arab world is not quite ready for your "shahid" mentality--and will deem your reverence towards suicide a kind of perversion of the concept of heroism. And a terrorist, of course, he cannot be, since he had set out to kill innocent civilians for the "holy" Palestinian cause = fascism. This is the double burden of Palestinian intellectuals: to extol the Palestinian narrative while helplessly searching for ways to justify the most blatant lack of cultivation of their people.When they cannot find any justifications, they choose to keep quiet about certain events, and return to the familiar tale of their victimhood, victimhood, victimhood. Please report all events; then proceed to give us your perspective. Otherwise you will become caricature-reporters of the conflict, which, as you know, is too complex and nuanced a conflict not to deserve more.

Name: Laila El Farra Al-Marayati
Email: lalmara@aol.com
Profession: physician
Country: USA

Comments

Name: Laila El Farra Al-Marayati
Email: lalmara@aol.com
Profession: physician
Country: USA

Comments

You are doing a great service for the people of Palestine. Your work reflects the strong will and determination of the Palestinians that will ultimately prevail.

Name: Moshe Gai
Email: gai@uconn.edu
Profession: Professor of Physics
Country: USA/ Israel

Comments

Name: Moreno
Email:
Profession:
Country: Sweden

Comments

This is in response to the above criticism by Alex Svenson

You are clearly too brainwashed by Zionists (beyond repair)

A: oppression + occupation + no international protection= sucide bomber

B: the only silent people in this world are ones like yourself, who turn a blind eye on Israel's crimes

C: victimhood..what the hell are you talking about, Jewish people are still nagging the whole world with the holocaust, even as they literarly wrip the hearts of palestinian babies (Eman Haj in Gaza a few weeks ago)

just go back to your little safe apartment in sweden and watch more CNN

Name: Mike Ulmer
Email: mikeulmer@mail.ru
Profession: Student
Country: United $tate$

Comments

The UN must find a way around the American's veto and send some kind of force to Israel.

Name: Dr Marwan Abu Zalaf
Email: marwan@alquds.com,marwanzalaf@netscape.net
Profession: General Manager, Al-Quds Daily Newspaper
Country: Palestine

Comments

Quite an impressive web site. I was unaware of such a informative site. Would you be interested in linking with "Al-Quds" newspaper?

Name: Jean Knapp-Rogers
Email: jroger14@tampabay.rr.com
Profession: State appointed ombudsman/elderly/healthcare
Country: USA

Comments

My husband and I, as longtime advocates for justice for the Palestinians, statehood with dignity and self sufficient defense system, can sum up the entire problem by changing a word in an effective slogan used in a US presidential election debate, albeit rude: It's the economy, Stupid. Simply change it to: "It's the OCCUPATION, Stupid." Since sending this comment to a London newspaper, the slogan has circulated. No matter how many people are killed on both sides of the issue, no matter how many illegal settlements are built on confiscated land, it all boils down to one thing, the brutal occupation. It's past time for the UN to demand an end to the occupation, turn over the settlements to the Christians and Muslims who have lost homes and lands against their wills, and stand up to the United States and Israel. Without the United States continuing to send billions of dollars the Israeli government does not deserve anyway, Israel cannot continue the occupation. The time is NOW. Stalling will only mean more land confiscated, more deaths and life threatening injuries. Enough said! To all the people who do not understand the situation but want peace, and to the American and Israeli leadership that continues to try to blame the victim, "It's the occupation, Stupid!"

Name: Elia Zomot
Email: elia_80@hotmail.com
Profession: graduate student
Country: Palestine

Comments

Indeed it is one of the vanguard of palestinian sites both in its activities and contents. It is directed by the best and most prominent palestinian intellectuals in Palestine and in diaspora.

Name: parke2
Email: parke2@ix.netcom.com
Profession: engineer
Country: US

Comments

I found your site while looking for an explanation of the settlement situation.

I am seeking an explanation of how the settlers acquire possession of land on which to establish settlements.

Is there recording of land titles?

What do the settlers do for a living?

Can anybody acquire property in a settlement or they restricted to certain elements.

What is the form of local government?

Were the West Bank and Gaza ever ceeded to Israel after the 1967 war or are they still claimed by Jordan and Egypt?

Thank you

parke2

Name: Ismail Hoosen Mahomed
Email: ipmgroup@iafrica.com
Profession: financial planning consultant
Country: South Africa

Comments

I used a search engine to find Dr. Ashrawi's email address. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself visiting this site. This site needs worldwide intensive publicity. I will be doing my bit to publicise it among my friends and colleagues. I knew of the desperate plight of the Palestinians, the insight I now have is that it is a thousand times worse. Keep up the good work. History will recognise and utilise your website for all the research yet to be undertaken.

Name: Vanessa T.T. Lambrecht
Email: pml@friendsofpalestine.org
Profession: Programme Officer
Country: the Netherlands

Comments

Please accept my deepest condolences on the death of Faisal al-Husseini. His death is a great shock and a big loss. May he rest in Peace.

Vanessa T.T. Lambrecht Palestine Mailing List the Netherlands

Name: James J. Algrant
Email: pajim@ime.net
Profession: Retired
Country: USA

Comments

I like your site very much especially the articles by Dr. Hanan Ashrawi. Keep up the good work.

Name: Amani Shahin
Email: arabqueen911@aol.com
Profession: student
Country: U.S.A

Comments

BISMILLAH Asalam Alaykum. I think this a very good website that tells the truth. It is a very strong website and the facts are amazing. I know we will get PALESTINE back someday. INSHALLAH

Name: Dr. Sam Hamod
Email: shamod@home.com
Profession: professor/poet/writer
Country: USA

Comments

In memory of Faisal Al-Husseini

Words have never been close to the color of agony, screams are closer to the pierced heart, to the loss of breath

Sam Hamod, copyright 2001 You may publish this if you wish; poems are free to fly where they may, especially outside the reach of the Israeli's and U.S. media.

Name: mr. Morten Sortodden
Email: sorto@online.no
Profession: nurse
Country: Norway

Comments

An excellent site! I wish you and all friends of Palestine the best! In solidarity M. Sortodden

Name: Anne G. Woodhead
Email: annegw77@aol.com
Profession: Homemaker
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

I appreciate your web site. I am an Anglican Christian praying for God's Salaam, Shalom and am promoting in my parish the Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East of the Churches for Middle East Peace. I am with you in solidarity, especially the more I learn of your plight. I am also glad to have access to the United Nations documents and have them summarized.

Name: Anne G. Woodhead
Email: annegw77@aol.com
Profession: Homemaker
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

I appreciate your web site. I am an Anglican Christian praying for God's Salaam, Shalom and am promoting in my parish the Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East of the Churches for Middle East Peace. I am with you in solidarity, especially the more I learn of your plight. I am also glad to have access to the United Nations documents and have them summarized.

Name: Sabah
Email: Sabah@yahoo.com
Profession: housewife
Country:

Comments

Dear Miftah

I love your web site, I wish you can also publish the material on the following web sites:

The Hussenis:

http://motlc.wiesenthal.com/pages/t031/t03148.html

http://www.flamemag.dircon.co.uk/yugoslavia_collaboration.htm

http://www.srpska-mreza.com/handzar/handzar.htm

Sabah

Name: Hannah Farraj
Email:
Profession: Doctor
Country:

Comments

Dear Miftah,

I found that your site is lacking certain truths:

As'ad elShuqeiri, a Muslim religious scholar and father of PLO chairman Ahmed Shuqeiri, took Jewish money for his land. The weekly Fasl al-Maqal, owned by Arab-Israeli parliament deputy Azmi Beshara and based in the predominantly Arab city of Nazareth in north Israel, ran a list of 54 leading Palestinians who sold land to Jews from 1918-1945.

The paper reported Thursday that Palestinian nationalist leaders,

Including the grandfather of the PLO's current top official in Jerusalem, sold land to Jews in the years before Israel's founding.

The paper ran a story titled "Our Fathers On The Take," takes the issue back to the era of the British mandate before Israel's founding in 1948, when the Zionist movement was seeking land in Palestine to create a Jewish state.

The paper reports that some of those highest up in the Palestinian

nationalist movement which opposed the Jewish state were at the same

time selling land to the Jewish Agency, the body spearheading the Zionist drive. The weekly's editor-in-chief, Awad Abdel Fatah reports that the names came from an official document dating back to the British mandate in Palestine, which the paper received from official sources in Jordan. He said, "We published only a partial list from the document, showing the role of the Palestinian leadership in the flow of lands to the Jewish Agency before the disaster of 1948," he said.

The names are embarrassing to the PA as one is a relative of Yasir

Arafat and he is one of the most prominent names on the list. His name is Mohammed Taher al-Husseni, father of al-Hajj Amin al-Husseni, the mufti of Jerusalem and supreme head of the Palestinian nationalist movement. Another was Kazem al-Husseni, grandfather on the mother's side of Faisal Husseni, the top PLO official in Jerusalem. Kazem sold lands in Jerusalem, where he was mayor from 1918-1920. The list includes five other members of the Husseni family, one of the most prominent clans in pre-1948 Palestine and today.

Other members of leading Palestinian families also showed up on the

list, as did members of the High Arab Committee, the High Islamic Council and the Arab Executive Committee, the main bodies which led the nascent Palestinian nationalist movement against Zionism. Mussa al-Alami, who headed the Palestinian delegation to the London Conference of 1939 convened to discuss the future of mandate Palestine, sold 90 hectares (222 acres) to Jews in Bisan, now the north Israeli city of Beit Shean, according to the list.

Ragheb al-Nashashibi, mayor of Jerusalem from 1920-1934 and head of the National Defense Party, sold over 120 hectares (296 acres) of land in Jaffa, outside Tel Aviv. Nashashibi also sold land in east Jerusalem upon which Hebrew University was later built.

Yaakub al-Ghussein, who headed the Arab Fund created to gather money to support the Palestinian cause, sold land to Jews in Jaffa and what is now the Gaza Strip for 4,000 Palestinian pounds, equivalent to British pound sterling at that era. And the other elite Muslim and Christian families of Palestine, including the Abdel Hadi, Bseiso, and Fahum clans, were represented on the list.

The Jews before the wars were already living as peasants, bought lands, cultivated them after years of neglect. The Jews restored the land and made it what it is today having an economy ten times the size of that of Egypt, Jordan and Syria combined, while the Arabs have been plotting wars against her since the 1920s and instead of wiping out every Jew in the area resulted in the displacement of almost 1/2 the Palestinians in 1948.

The Arab opposition to an Israeli state began after the Balfour Declaration 1917, which supported the idea of a Jewish national homeland. In the 1920s there were anti-Zionist riots in Palestine, then governed by the UK under a League of Nations mandate.

In 1936 an Arab revolt led to a British royal commission that recommended partition approved by the United Nations in 1947, but rejected by the Arabs.

When it became clear that the British intended to leave by May 15, leaders of the Yishuv decided to implement that part of the partition plan calling for establishment of a Jewish state.

In Tel Aviv on May 14 the Provisional State Council, formerly the National Council, "representing the Jewish people in Palestine and the World Zionist Movement, proclaimed the establishment of the Jewish State in Palestine, to be called Medinat Israel (the State of Israel) ...

On May 15 the armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq joined Palestinian and other Arab guerrillas who had been fighting Jewish forces since November 1947.

The civil war now became an international conflict, the first Arab-Israeli War, called the war of independence by Israel. The Arabs failed to prevent establishment of a Jewish state, and the war ended with four UN-arranged armistice agreements between Israel and Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The frontiers defined in the armistice agreements remained until they were altered by Israel's conquests during the Six-Day War in 1967.

The wars that were intended to annihilate the Jews ended up in Israel's victory. For Arabs to bring up atrocities, murders, incidents of violence by the Israelis as a result of trying to annihilate her can be expected, especially when 5 wars was waged on Israel, and hundreds of terror attacks intended to destroy every Jew in Israel. Wars throughout history has always had repercussions and Arabs are not immune >from the bad taste of their own medicine.

Mr. Assad Sysria's dictator vowed at the start of the 1967 war: "Our forces are now entirely ready... to initiate the act of liberation itself and to explode the Zionist presence in the Arab homeland... The time has come to enter into a battle of annihilation." President Nasser of Egypt declared, "Our basic goal is the destruction of Israel". (Laqueur, op. cit., pp. 175-185).

Such statements has no effect on changing the hearts of the Arab and Muslim masses who know that Muhammad Islam's prophet annihilated the Jews from Saudi Arabia, and the unsophisticated Westerners mind and heart has been seduced to believe a lie, that the Arabs and Muslims worldwide have a great desire for peace, the "final solution" evil saga will continue as planed by Satan. Westerners forget who supported Hitler in World War II, the Soviet Union during the Cold War and Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War, instead they rally behind Arafat who still refuses to change the PLO Charter calling for the destruction of Israel.

Hanna

Name: Ismail Rangila
Email: ismail.rangila@ssw.co.za
Profession: Forex Administrator
Country: South Africa

Comments

As Salaam Wa Alaykum,

My name is Ismail Rangila residing in Johannesburg South Africa.This website has the best facts that i've ever heard & seen.But it is so hard sore to read facts about the devastating carnage;young children been tortured or massacared to death.People who act in this way has no value for life .

But I have this strong intention in my mind, body and soul,that when i do get the call and opportunity ,INSHALLAH i want to be part & parsal of this struggle and be there to aid in every possible way i can.

It is one thing that people all over the world can make duaa & send peace & salutations to the bereaved families who have lost their beloved ones,but the only people who knows it hurts deep within,is the ones who experiences the carnage.

Was Salaam Ismail

Name: H. D. Mikhail
Email: anahuda@yahoo.com
Profession:
Country: USA

Comments

Hanan Your eulogy of Faisal will keep him in our hearts forever. Always remembered with every dusk & dawn as the true son of Jerusalem & the purist of them all.

We share & feal the pain of his loss with you, his family & every Palestinian on earth. Keep the faith & struggle for justice in his name alive, as the guiding light for a bright future for Palestine.

Name: Dr. Eugene Makhlouf
Email: eugene.makhlouf@mbox300.swipnet.se
Profession: Palestinian General Delegate
Country: Sweden

Comments

It is always heartening to feel that there is always a place to fall back to in times of need. The times of need in information are so often recurring. God bless you, and keep the good word spreading. With my thanks and best regards Eugene

Name: Nadim Haddad
Email: twonads@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: London

Comments

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nadim Haddad, and I live in London. I am an admirer of your website and its board of trustees. My parents have both met Edward Said and Hanan Ashrawi and have always been indebted to their efforts for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. I would simply like to know what I could do to help.

Kindest Regards, Nadim Haddad

Name: videos@holy-secrets.com
Email: videos@holy-secrets.com
Profession: Teacher
Country: United States

Comments

Your viewers may need the information below. Thank you!

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Name: hanan daibes
Email: hanoushy@hotmail.com
Profession: student
Country: jordan

Comments

this is a very rich site about palestain and the palestinian people right to freedom and democracy

Name: Khalid Al Jammal
Email: khaljamm@oneway.gr
Profession: printer
Country: Greece

Comments

Please put out more and more analysis, to help us understand.

Name: Bilal Patel
Email: bilal@patelscornershop.com
Profession: Web programmer
Country: United Kingdom

Comments

Thank you for this wonderful resource.

You can be assured that Palestine will never be forgotten. People all around the world will never stop fighting for the rights of the Palestinian people until there is justice in the form of the Right of Return and compensation.

Name: Nora Henderson
Email: ainmusa@hotmail.com
Profession: teacher
Country: Jordan

Comments

I tried to access Miftah yesterday through a link and instead opened a page from rotter.net. begging for sympathy for "My Little Country". I don't know enough about the internet to know if this was an honest mistake of "crossed wires" or another bit of Israeli sabotage. Just thought you should know there may be a problem. (The joke was on them if it was intentional. . .I had just come from seeing "100 Shaheed". It was DEFINITELY the wrong moment to try to get me to change my feeling about this dirty war!)

Salaam

Name: maysoon kuheil
Email: maywk@yahoo.com
Profession: -
Country: palestine

Comments

wonderfull work..

Name: Caroline Al-Ashhab
Email: c_al_ashhab@hotmail.com
Profession: Teacher
Country: Palestine/Canada

Comments

Dear Mrs. Hanan Ashrawy, GOD BLESS YOU! Caroline

Name: Otoshh
Email: mpfreed@bigfoot.com
Profession: retired
Country: UK

Comments

".....Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy" ????

Let the Palestinians show the world that they can first set their own house in order (by promoting dialogue with Israel and democracy at home) before looking any further !!

Name: Michael Ellison
Email: mellison2000@aol.com
Profession: Mortgage Banker
Country: USA

Comments

Issa, I know you can do better than this. But it still a very good job and I am proud of all of you at miftah.

Name: Donna M. Ivy
Email: donna.ivy@dc.gov
Profession: rehabilitation counselor
Country: usa

Comments

The bloodshed is grievous to me and even more to the Creator and Lover of all of us. This is the Mother of Holy Lands for us all, but even above any claim to a piece of God's earth, which can disintegrate, is our Holy relationship to each other, which cannot be destroyed because we live in God. Would you consider, either a mailing or an email site, with a letter that we could send to our congressmen, to exhort an international monitor be placed or that more pressure be brought so that both sides are in honest pursuit of life for all. I only came to this site by accident or 'providence'. I visited the Holy Land some years ago, so I have a special concern for the people. You are in my prayers, that we not lose faith in God's life and our common bond.

Name: Linda Ali
Email: krazedevil2009@aol.com
Profession: student that is very worrie about thepalestinian problems
Country: u.s.a

Comments

I think your web site is extremly good however, iteeds some touch ups. Suh as, it shoudl have all the names of the people who died, where they ae from,and there ages, alo the reasn they died. Many things have tobe updated andyou need pictures

Name: John Kearney
Email: jkearn88@yahoo.com
Profession: student
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for your fine site. It would be helpful for those of us in the USA who would like to demonstrate solidarity and pressure our own government if you would update suggested solidarity and pressure campaigns.

While the Arab-American community and their friends in the U.S.A. have made some gains, there is still no organized, coherent strategy for pressuring our own government. This is deeply troubling and politically disastrous. If Miftah could hook up with American and European groups to help create campaigns, it would potentially be quite powerful.

This type of concerted effort between Palestinians in the Middle East and the citizenry of other countries is desperately needed. Needless to say, Israel and its allies do a superlative job in this regard, and there needs to be a counter effort.

Thank you.

Yours, John Kearney

Name: hassen lorgat
Email: hlorgat@sadtu.org.za
Profession: trade unionist
Country: south africa

Comments

we remain in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Great website! our web: www.sadtu.org.za

Name: Ahmed Amjad
Email: none yet
Profession: Professor
Country: United States

Comments

This is a very hateful and untruthful sight. I am sad to say this, but it doesn't look like there will ever be peace as long the children of Palestine continue to be taught to hate, instead of being taught to love. They are being used and raised to kill and in the process, will be killed themselves.

Name: Robert A Noonan
Email: ADugong@AOL.com
Profession: Biologist
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for your well organized website full of thoughtful articles and essays. With your efforts and those of organizations like you, I believe that a solution to the terrible situation in Israel/Palestine will be found.

Slan agus Siochan (Salutations and Peace - in Irish)

Bob Noonan

Name: Russ Dowling
Email: rdowli1@home.com
Profession: Compliance Analyst
Country: US

Comments

Your site is very informative and I think it helps one get a better sense of the Palestinian perspective. I find myself continually horrified at the level of Israeli aggression toward the Palestinian people.

Name: Haia Abdel
Email: haia18@yahoo.com
Profession: Student - Telecommunication Management
Country: USA - Palestine

Comments

In the mist of everything going on in Palestine, I needed some kind of re-assurence. I think now, how selfish of me, that I want someone to be here for me when all those misfortunate palestinians are just suffering. Suffering and waiting, until when? Until we all unite and say enough is enough? Until we can have time to stop what we are doing and demand the violence to stop? I had previously read about Hanan Ashrawi but only found this website now. I came here looking for someone to talk to and share my views with. Someone to lay everything that has been going on in my twisted warped mind, instead I am here laying my burden in a column deep in this guest book. I want someone to direct me, to show me what to do, to help or at least try to. I think we all should do something together but I dont know how or what. I thing your website is great and speaks the truth. The truth that has been so long hidden from the eyes of the American public due to the one-sided media reports we so often hear and see. But, let me offer a suggestion. you need a forum, chat, or a discussion board, that is how all the visitors can unite mentally. Anyway, I don't know if I made any sense in this column, I get into these phases where I just need to voice out and write something. Again, I thank you for having this prominent website.

Name: Miriam M. Reik
Email: mr760@aol.com
Profession: Journalist
Country: USA

Comments

A very useful web site, and the articles by Hanan Ashrawi are outstanding. I wish it were more widely visited by progressive American Jews: what the current Israeli government does, it does not do in our name.--Miriam

Name: ahmed abdelmageed
Email: aabdelma68@hotmail.com
Profession: Pharmacy student
Country: USA

Comments

In a time of intellectual and factual darkness and impurity, your site sheds the light. Thank you for your efforts and keep up the good work.

Name: Christine Boeckmann
Email: christine.boeckmann@t-online.de
Profession: Theologian
Country: Germany

Comments

Thanks for your excellent work!

I would like to join your mailing list. Then I could spread informations about your work in Germany faster.

Yours, Christine Boeckmann

Name: Aref Assaf
Email: aref@ALLCOUNTYLIMO.NET
Profession: Buisnsess owner
Country: USA

Comments

I admire your well-researched work. I frequently forward your articles to other American friends. God Speed till victory and the end of Israeli occupation. The power of the web must not be underestimated.

Aref Assaf

Name: Hamid Farzaneh
Email: hfarzaneh@yahoo.com
Profession: Engineer
Country: USA

Comments

Dear Mrs Ashrawi,

You and your organization represent a much more credible voice for the Palestinians than Mr. Arafat's government. I strongly and equally support the existence of Israel AND the creation of an independent, viable and democratic Palestine. Israel certainly needs no additional help, but I'd appreciate your suggestions as to how I can help Palestinian Human Rights organizations.

Sincerely,

Hamid Farzaneh

Name: Mohammed Khan
Email:
Profession: Physician
Country: USA

Comments

Asalamalaikum, Brothers and sisters in Islam the time has come to Resist our Holy Lands by use of FORCE (INTELIGENTLY), WILL, PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. Nauzubillah, I see another BOSNIA/KOSOVO in the making very soon.May Allah except our prayers and give us will and power to CORRECT our enemies for they have forgotten their rightous path.

Keep up the great work on this site.

Allah hafiz

Mohammed

Name: Laurie MacSween
Email: hoyden_gal@hotmail.com
Profession:
Country: AUSTRALIA

Comments

I hardly know where to start!Thanks for the opportunity to add my voice in support for the Palestian peoples....my prayers and solidarity to you all.....thanks be for the amazing Hanan Ashrawi a true diplomat/peaceseeker....courage and strength in the face of unbelievable cruelty inflicted by the occupiers Israel......incredible patience with other nations of the world(including my govt.Aust)complicit in SILENCE......choosing to remain blind...and calling it....."political consideration" of the matter...IMPOTENT/IGNORANT/ARROGANT!!!"NEVER AGAIN" means for ALL PEOPLES!Not just for Israel.I have a Dutch/jewish mother..Aust father...thankfully this has NOTHING to do with being Israeli...i renounce my "right of return"....i do not support the occupiers!Like many others(of jewish background)the Israelis DO NOT SPEAK FOR US!I pray for Palestine and for freedom for all......thanks again for this opportunity to speak.....i wish to convey my unwavering solidarity....encourage everyone to speak out against such outrages against humanity.

Name: claudine
Email:
Profession: social worker
Country: France

Comments

I've been since 2 days trying to find informations about how can I help those poor Palestinian people... I also heard that there was a program organised where some occidental volunteers could go in the occupied territories, first to show the world and the Palestinians that they are not abandonned, to pick up the attention of the international medias, so that the news showed on tv or in different media would be a bit more compassionate than what we're seeing at that moment. I'm ready to go to Palestine for that and I'm a lot disapointed 'cause I couldn't find any information about that. And you are not the only website I've been trying to check for that. The good thing with your site is that there is a way to make some comments. I wonder if this deserted field is not showing that poor Palestinians are completely abandonned by the whole world ... Best wishes. CL

Name: Assad Abdi
Email: assad@mac.com
Profession: Professional
Country: Australia

Comments

Fantastic site. keep up the very good work. Put me on your e-list if you have one.

Name: Sarah Rankin
Email: sarah.rankin@luton.ac.uk
Profession: Senior Lecturer
Country: UK

Comments

Re: Home Under Siege An excellent article. Very moving.

Name: Michael A. Roberts
Email: maroberts@acadia.net
Profession: retired teacher
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for your presence, your courage and your message of hope.

Name: Peter Murphy
Email: search@magna.com.au
Profession: journalist
Country: Australia

Comments

Dear Hanan and friends, Thanks for your democratic and humane website, fighting for the human rights of the Palestinian people and for a genuine peace in your region.

I know this time is one of huge tragedy and anxiety, hurt and anger for you, and for all of us with feelings.

I am able to work here in Australia to support your just cause, and will do the best I can. Same goes for my organisational links in the left and the trade union movement.

Name: Abdo Halawa
Email: abdoscell@hotmail.com
Profession: Tax Consultant
Country: USA

Comments

Great website!!!

Name: Jacob Grech
Email: jacob@wild.net.au
Profession: trade union official
Country: Australia

Comments

Member of Friends of Palestine, a trade union based organisation in Melbourne Australia.

Name: mohmmed el mes'hal
Email: midooo79@hotmail.com
Profession: doctor
Country: palestine

Comments

wonderful work..

Name: Adrian Grima (Inizjamed, Malta)
Email: inizjamed@email.com
Profession: academic
Country:

Comments

Name: Adrian Grima (Inizjamed, Malta)
Email: inizjamed@email.com
Profession: academic
Country: malta

Comments

Keep up the good work. sahha adrian

Name: Wibie R. Restu
Email: wibie.r.r@eudoramail.com
Profession: university student
Country: Indonesia

Comments

Assalaamu'alaikum I do wish we can be a big moeslem family for the entire of the world. Assalaamu'alaikum

Name: akmilatul maghfiroh
Email: akmila@yahoo.com
Profession: university student
Country: Indonesia

Comments

assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabaraktuhu

Name: Rev. Dr. Wendy Yona Noon
Email: rev_dr_noon@yahoo.com
Profession: Researcher-Teacher-Therapist
Country: USA

Comments

Each death must be accounted 4 for their rite 2 give life or continue life was taken away. If someone was to blame, then they must answer the same qustions anyone needs to answer during peacetime especially.

Our ThinkTank sees a few people getting wealthy as they "test out" & "sell" their 'compact' carryable arms that probably can connect to more powerful & larger weapons. This is just a way to sell goods.

We, the people of this planet, R forfeitable at present. Our education is producing such a physically lazy & fustrated young people that do not know how to do or think: & thus can be made jealous & brainwashed.

Why were the group that killed Jesus able to? Because no one stuck up for him & recognized his rites to work & have a family & take care of his family & the earth he lived from.

We had healthy water to drink then & the air was rich w/oxygen not nuclear particles.

How much was paid for the Isreali Land & to whom was it paid & where is the paper with the signatures to sell....or lease.....it? Where is this paper? When was it filed...or was a so-called mandate by duress.

Mao had a Mission Statement also (every new business needs a Mission Statement). His was the communist Manifesto. Here is the de-Facto Mandate. Only a joke that everyone fell for. Just a bubble that needed to be popped.....because the land is not being taken care of...

The Germ Warfare that was released in Africa Major called AIDS has not concentrated itself up the mountain in Russia. We believe it was germ warfare, because Russia has not been affected.

Isreal is storing what Germ Warfare? If you study the sand, the sands will say. Also, the water will show nuclear leaking from the nuclear plants. Who allows nuclear plants in the Suez Cannal? It is definitely poisioning your waters, destroying the seaweed (& thus destroying the Oxygen, sea life) & is deadly for humans & animals...the slow death of gout & immediate staph infections.

Some professors have said,'the solution to pollution is dillution', but I don't agree nuclear breaks down very easily & I believe it is light enough to float.

Maybe the five (5) UN seats can meet in Jerusalem for a taste of their own medicine. If its ok for one it is ok for All...so, "come on down"..............

Name: Jean-Luc DE BODT
Email: jean-luc@debodt.be
Profession: tailor
Country: Belgium

Comments

Salaam Aleikoum.

"Mabrouk" for your website!

I am a benevole worker by OXFAM, and sell Palestinian products (olives, oliveoil, almonds and couscous) into our little Oxfam-worldshop. I hope that peace wins against war between Palestinians and Jews, and, christian, I pray for this cause...

Maaslaima.

Name: Harvard Wood
Email: harvardc@aol.com
Profession: Exec.
Country: USA

Comments

Very informative site...information that is not available in US...which is very sad. Wish we could do more to help settle the unrest...

Name: Abdel Rahman Ayass
Email: arafa@netpro.net.au
Profession: Marketing Manager
Country: Australia

Comments

Keep up the good work

Name: RASHAD GHANEM ALKHAMRI
Email: RALKHAMRI@Y.NET.YE
Profession: EDUCATION - RETIRED
Country: ADEN - REP. OF YEMEN

Comments

BEFORE A FEW DAYS, WE HAVE LOST A GREAT LEADER ABU ALI MUSTAFA WHO HAS BEEN MURDERED BY THE FASHIEST ISRAELI LEADERS AND WHO STANDS BEHIND THEM, EITHER FROM EUROPE OR FROM ARAB WORLD. I FEEL AND IS MY OPINION IF CAN I SAY THAT, ABU ALI HAS BEEN KILLED BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE WHO ARE LOST THEIR MANNERS. MAY THE GREAT ALLAH SENDS HIS COOL BREAST TO HIS GRAVE. AND ALSO, PLEASE CONVEY MY AND ALL ARABS WHO FEELS THE SAME OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS BRAVE FAMILY AND CHILDREN AND ALL THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLES. THE ALMIGHTY GOD WILL NOT FORGET HIS OBEDIENT PEOPLE IN PALESTINE AND ALL OTHER PARTS OF IT. MAY GOD BLESS THE ALL. REGARDS

Name: Nemes Mária
Email: nemesmaria@hotmail.com
Profession: geography student
Country: Hungary

Comments

I am a Hungarian from Hungary. I visit your website daily so as the Gush Shalom's also. i absolutely agree with you. I condemn the colonisaliation of your land, your future state. I condemn the state terrorism of Israel. I have debates in Hungarian net forums about this issue. Many Hungarians agree with me...of course there are people who dont. I showed them your webpage so i hope they admit, that the Palestinians also want peace and fair judgements. From my point of view Israel must withdraw from the illegaly occupied territories and not only freeze the further settlements but also dismantle the former ones. After the declaration of the Palestinian State if a person wants to live in the Palestinian State he or she should apply for it etc...like in other states. Untill the declaration those people there are only oil on fire. Greetings:

Mária

Name: Issa M. Mousa Hamayel
Email: issamh@ramallahonline.com
Profession: Quality Controller / Bus. Dev. Administrator
Country: United Arab Emirates

Comments

its is a very good and useful site , hope that the site could be in arabic too as it is in english

one more thing if possible to help me in collect data about palestine and the intifada, i'm planning by the end of this year to finish a comprehensave site about palestine with a lot of links and data in it

Name: Roberta WEISSFISH
Email: Robbie@gmx.net
Profession: Prof./Mainz University
Country: Germania

Comments

KPML(r), SWEDEN RKU, Sweden

LETTER OF CONDOLENCES

Central Committee Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine DAMASCUS

Goetheburg, Aug 27th 2001

Comrades,

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party-KPML(r)- in Sweden, and all the militants of the party, I bring You our strongest sympathy at this sad moment. We mourn with You Comrades, and we bow our heads in respect for Comrade Secretary General Abu Ali Mustafa, the latest martyr in the Palestinian liberation struggle. Our thoughts are with his family and with the entire PFLP. His death is a tragedy for the entire Palestinian people; it is a loss for all progressive and freedom loving people in the world. The Zionist murderers are prepared to commit whatever barbaric crime in their criminal frenzy to conquer Palestinian soil. This last year they have indiscriminately murdered hundreds and hundreds of babies, children, mothers and old men and women. They have carried out atrocities in every town and village in Palestine. Since the Al Aqsa Intifada was started by the Palestinian people, the Zionists have shown that no terror act has been too cruel for them to commit. Behind them stands the Imperialists and oppressors in the Western world, under the leadership of the US. Comrades, We are convinced that the just struggle for the liberation of Palestine, the struggle for which Comrade Abu Ali Mustafa has given his life, will continue till victory is won. Our solidarity with the liberation struggle of the Palestinian people will remain for ever.

Down with Zionism! - Long live Palestine! Long live proletarian internationalism!

KPML(r) Central Committee /Teddy-John Frank Intern.secr.

RKU Central Committee /Dennis Andersson, Chairman *** http://www.KPMLr.o.se/Letter_of_Condolences.html

Name: marwan natsheh
Email: marwan@dawliah.com
Profession: Computer Engineer
Country: United States

Comments

It is very informative and has averity of collections, THANK YOU.

Name: Tareq
Email:
Profession: Sales
Country: PALESTINE

Comments

We shall over come

Name: Nemes Mária
Email: nemesmaria@hotmail.com
Profession: geography student
Country: Hungary

Comments

I am really amazed by your website. I would like to advise you only one thing. You are military occupied nation by an invader state. This state leader is a warcriminal by any meanings. And he was legaly elected in his own country. This what makes normal people fear and vomit in the same time. I advise you to have a fact sheet of warcrimes of Ariel Sharon. Just the facts, they speak of themselves thousand times more than anything. Or you already have it on your website and i didnt see it? Greetings and with deepest feelings:

Mária

Name: Bill Galli
Email: bgalli@jps.net
Profession: building contractor
Country: usa

Comments

I'm pleased to see that someone is able to provide a sane responce to the biased reporting that we get here in the usa. I hope that you prevail in yhis struggle. bill

Name: Clement Leibovitz
Email: cleibovi@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca
Profession: Historian, novelist and physicist
Country: Canada

Comments

The long term security of Israel can only be realised through peace with the Palestinians and the Arab neighbouring countries. Such a peace cannot be longlasting unless it is a just peace which conforms to the Geneva conventions and to the United Nations' decisions.

This website is impressive from the technical and informative point of view.

Name: Kate Sinclair
Email: villacambria@xtra.co.nz
Profession: Manager
Country: Nw Zealand

Comments

Wonderful website and Ive read all the articles.I only wish that some of this information was getting into the New Zealand media as we get a very one sided veiw of Palestinian/Israeli situation.It would be wonderful to have Hannan Ashrawi or Amira Hass out here on a speaking tour.

Name: Caroline Al-Ashhab
Email: c_al_ashhab@hotmail.com
Profession: Computer Teacher
Country: Palestine/Canada

Comments

Dear Mrs. Hanan Ashrawi,

GOD BLESS YOU!

Caroline Al-Ashhab

Name: Chuck Mulhern
Email: Cardiostart_intl@msn.com
Profession: Director, CardioStart International
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for an informative website.

Name: Rana El-Khatib
Email: elkhatib@mindspring.com
Profession: Writer - Children's Stories
Country: USA

Comments

Dear Dr. Ashrawi,

Thank you (and your staff) for your tireless efforts. If only we could clone you and FedEx you to every household in the US, our story might be where it should have been a long time ago - in the annals of history as a lesson in what not to do to an entire people. But alas, we only hear you on occasion. When we do hear you, your comments are usually butchered into sound bites that don't really drive any one point home. The likelihood that you will ever be a fixture on our screens here in the US, with things progressing as they are (or should I say regressing), appears slim. To have you on our screens frequently would, at minimum, cause a stir. It would have to. Americans, most of the time, are bombarded with one side of the story. When someone does finally decide to "bestow" an Arab or a Palestinian air time (you know, to show the “other” side), half the time the person is hardly able to clearly articulate one meaningful sentence in English. Turn the heavy accented person's one shot at a comment and "sound bite" it ala Americana and we are back to square one…no, we are back several steps behind that. I have to believe that if Americans actually got the entire picture - the tides of change would slowly but surely lap up against the shores of what I can only coin as censorship.

The daily onslaught on American televisions and radios about Palestinians, Arabs, and Islam seem to be coming at us from all angles. I feel helpless to change things - paralyzed with revulsion at the insanity that is the American media.

News anchors are nothing more than mouthpieces spewing the scathing propaganda that has become the norm here. I can’t even listen to something like National Public Radio (considered “liberal”) without hearing the likes of Ms. Jennifer Luden make statements like “Israel has no choice but to react...” Or Scott Simon just this morning go into a tirade about (paraphrasing) how the Jews have been persecuted and that they are the victims basically even today, or even Terri Grosse questioning Dr. Eyad Sarraj a few weeks back. Her entire “interview” focused solely – it seemed – on the dreaded, “suicide bombers”. She had not one question on how the Palestinian people were feeling under brutal occupation. She made no mention of the emotional and physical battery they have experienced. On the flip side, when Ms. Grosse interviewed the Jewish Dr., the questions were more about the well being of Israeli society and the effects of the suicide bombers on them.

I support Arab American organizations but as a collective entity, Arab Americans amount to a drop in the bucket on the political front here. American politicians view Arabs and Arab Americans as nothing more than a worthless bunch of ignorant, loud mouthed, good for nothing, “towel heads” (to use the good old American phrase).

I am feeling utterly frustrated and defeated.

Rana El-Khatib

Name: Timothy Stein
Email: stein099@aol.com
Profession: Student
Country: USA

Comments

This site provides a great place for students of Arab Politics to get information about what is really happening to the Palestinian people. Good Job.

Name: Christina MAGUSSON
Email: Christine21@sydney-beach.org
Profession: Teacher
Country: Australia

Comments

How can you STOP the PALESTINIAN GENOCIDE:

http://www.leninist-current.revolte.net/ilc/en/

Statement and suggestions of Anti-imperialist camp organisation:

Appeal for international mobilisations Palestine – stop the massacre! By visiting the historic centre of Qudüs close to the mosque Al-Aksha the Zionist general Ariel Sharon (who was the driving force for of the invasion of Lebanon in 1982 that caused the death of about twenty thousand people both Palestinians and Lebanese including the massacre of the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shateeila) has smashed the already wavering peace talks that have been running since 1991 without bringing anything positive to the Palestinians. He was accompanied by more than thousand USraeli soldiers and policemen and being supported by the most reactionary forces of Zionism and US imperialism. Against this tremendous provocation the Palestinians who already suffer from the cruel oppression and the Apartheid regime of the Z.O.G. (Zionist Occupational Gang=USrael) forces have raised arming themselves with stones and sticks like in the times of the Intifada. The rebellion that originated in Qudüs has spread like fire to the entirety of the occupied territories and for the first time also to USrael itself. The "Labourist" (manipulated) government of Barak (liar master) did not only not want to impede the racist and Zionist parade of Sharon but has even unleashed an attack of his police, his army and his special forces against the Palestinians killing only in the first two days more than forty (among them children) and injuring more than thousand (some of them in dangerous conditions). ... This terrible situation could even deteriorate into a tragedy of tremendous proportions and it will be once again the Palestinians who will again have to pay the price– for nothing else than the struggle for the recognition their national and democratic rights, for their dignity and liberty. We call upon all the democratic and Anti-imperialist forces, upon all who defend the cause of the martyred Palestinian people to organise all around the world demonstrations to stop the massacre and to express our solidarity with the Palestinian people in struggle: Stop the massacre! Punish those responsible for the repression. Force the West to stop any help to Z.O.G. (Armed Mafia USrael). Withdrawal of the USraeli army from the occupied territories. For the right to return for all Palestinian refugees. For the dismantling of all the illegal USraeli settlement in Palestine. For the full right of self-determination of the Palestinian people. Solidarity for all the oppressed people in struggle against imperialism and NATO as its armed instrument. There will be demonstrations in Rome and Vienna during this week. We call upon all to inform us about mobilisations in their countries in order to forge the broadest international front possible. We also call to support this appeal. For support and information, visit the Anti-Imperialist org.'s site; please:

http://www.leninist-current.revolte.net/ilc/en/

http://www.antiimperialista.com/de/view.shtml?category=3&id=997972989&keyword=+

http://pub26.bravenet.com/forum/add.php?id=0&usernum=2154786270

http://antiimperialista.com/cgi-antiimperialista/forum/de/messageboard/view.pl

http://www.amnesty.org/news/1996/51504996.htm

http://www.web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/index/MDE150491996

and Antifa&Anti-Racist volunteers of European Union's www.ENAR-EU.org

Join us, please; there will be demonstrations in Rome and Vienna in next week

Name: EBRAHIM
Email: ALMASDAR@HOTMAIL.COM
Profession: STUDENT
Country: KSA

Comments

Name: Jay W.
Email: jayw@nohl.com
Profession: Manager
Country: United Staes

Comments

How sad that the actions of a few effects the opinion of many. The scene of Palestinians celebrating and handing out candy after the terrorist attack in the U,S. was replayed over and over by the media. Support for your your cause will greatly suffer. I cannot support people who celebrate the death of others. May Allah have mercy on you.

Name: An American Citizen
Email:
Profession:
Country: United States of America

Comments

In response to Dr. Ashrawi’s condolences on behalf of the Palestinian people for the ACTS OF WAR perpetrated on my country, I must say that after seeing your people celebrating in the streets at the news of these ACTS OF WAR that your overtures of sorrow and condolences are hollow and meaningless. I am an America citizen who has long believed in the cause of the Palestinian people to form their own state. However, after seeing the recent celebrations I am know convinced that the Palestinian people are of one mind and of one heart with the evil forces that have committed these ACTS OF WAR against my country. If your leadership, Mr. Arafat, is sincere in his "total condemnation and utter grief to this tremendous loss" than he will take immediate steps to stop terrorist attacks from Palestinian controlled areas and arrest and detained those members of terrorist organizations that use Palestine as a base of operations. If he does not do this, then it is only further evidence that he and the people he represents are one with these organizations of evil. It dose not matter to me, and I hope to my government, whether the terror groups that operate from Palestine had any involvement with these ACTS OF WAR committed against my country, because these groups are all of one mind, one heart, and one goal. Soon my government and perhaps the governments of other nations will embark on what I hope will be a TOTAL WAR against these organizations of evil and the states that harbor them. I hope that the Palestinian people will choose the right side in this WAR, although I do not believe you will and as such, I am afraid your people will suffer far greater than they have ever suffered before.

Name: Elizabeth Gardner
Email: lamont001_2000@yahoo.com
Profession: Attorney
Country: USA

Comments

During this time of devastation and grief in our country, there are many of my friends and family whom would like to let you know that we appreciate your show of support and donations of blood to the people who were injured yesterday. I studied Arabic language and culture at the University to learn more about a group of people out of a geniune desire to understand your plights in the middle east. Many of us are watching what our media sends across the world as a representation of Americans and stereo-typed Arabs, many of us are greivous that your citizens and others of Arabic countries may believe that all Americans are ignorant and filled of hate for any Arabs. That is not true. That is also not the majority of the citizens here. Most of us do not have the political power, nor the money, to get our opinions expressed on a national, or an international medium. My family - like many others- has spent several generations stuggling financially and working hard to establish ourselves. We are white, Christian, protestants, and we are trying to exhibit good citizenship to all cultures and nations. This also includes other citizens who attend my church, and with whom I work and with whom I have attended university. This group of people are formed of citizens here of many races and backgrounds. I take whatever opportunity that I have to share what I learned from my Arabic co-eds with others who may have never been acquainted with any Arabs. People here truly are disadvantaged for information and most of them only see what the media produces - which can and often is biased. I just do not want any nation to lose any more family members. I do not want to see any more war. (I lost my father in Vietnam, a war he did not want to fight as he was taught Mormonism as a child. He died at 26.) If my vote counted, I would not chose to have our country participate in the middle eastern conflict. No one that I know agrees with the violence that Israel exacts upon you. Clearly, a country must defend itself, but then the whole situation can continue endlessly like a dog chasing its tail. No one wins. Let the fanaticals who promote murder and mayhem live by the sword, not the innocent. I believe that I pray to the same God as any Muslim. Although I am a "gentile," I also pray to the same God as any Jew. Just as I read the old testament, and the new testament, I am also reading in the Koran. I am praying for peace for all of us, and I will continue to openly discuss my opinions in support of destroying the slanted and untrue stereotypes of the Arabic peoples and culture perpetuated by our media. Today in our country, it is also becomming unacceptable to our media for any of us to be a Christian. As Christians, we are also labled as fanatics and maligned with stereotypes. Please let other citizens in your countries know that they do have friends in America.

Name: Michael McCann
Email: habu53@hocking.net
Profession: Software Engineer/Business Mgr
Country: United States of America

Comments

Good site. I would like to send a positive message to the Honorable Dr. Hanan Ashrawi. Can you help??

Name: Laurie MacSween
Email: hoyden_gal@hotmail.com
Profession: flightattendant
Country: australia

Comments

I have already had the privilege of adding my thoughts and support to/for the palestinian people.....at this time (after the tragic events in the US)though i thought it worth stressing support for you all in Palestine....i am very afraid of the actions that Bush and Sharon will take......without regard for justice or consructive peace......retribution is not the answer.....now more than ever is a time for love and compassion for all.Enough said.I wish you all peace and friendship at this time.L MacSween.

Name: Will Dougherty
Email: wadougherty@hotmail.com
Profession: Information Technoogy Consultant
Country: USA

Comments

It is 10:51 PM EDT on Sept. 14, 2001 and I've just witnessed the Tom Brokaw interview with Dr. Ashrawi on American television. I am appalled and more than a little ashamed for the media of my country at the way she was mistreated. The rudeness of showing a pathetic film clip of a total 6 individuals, two of whom were small children, mugging for the cameras in “celebration” while Dr. Ashrawi was trying to voice a message of sympathy and peace just disgusted me. For whatever it’s worth, I’d like to apologize for my countrymen. We here in the US can’t begin to imagine living under the state of siege in your own homeland as the Palestinian people are enduring (although the National Public Radio organization has recently been promoting a more balanced view). My understanding is that none of those suspected in our tragedy thus far have any ties to any Palestinian organizations so I find it especially hard to understand the poor treatment except that the Dr. was accessible while those who are responsible are not. An easy target. It is unfortunate that our press is so fond of generalizing catch-phrases like “Palestinian terrorist”. While I have no sympathy for any individual or group that participates in terrorism I can see that in the case of the Palestinians there are real and desperate conditions that could drive one to whatever means were at one’s disposal. In contrast, those responsible for the attack on the USA seem not to have had any such desperation, only hatred and zealousness. I’d like to say that there are some thoughtful and sympathetic people in my country along with a number of thoughtless and zealous ones. In other words, people aren’t very different wherever you go in the world.

I would also like to say that I have always found Dr. Ashrawi an extremely eloquent spokesperson. She is an asset to your people that should be treasured. I also was touched by the gestures of Chairman Arafat in the wake of our disaster. Among my most sincere hopes are that from this horror perhaps some good may come, that my country might become more evenhanded in it’s dealing with your struggles, and that the Palestinian people may enjoy a peaceful existence in their own homeland some day soon just as we here in the US have enjoyed until so recently.

Name: imran    karram
Email: imrankarram@hotmail.com
Profession: engineer
Country: usa

Comments

Excellent the only problem you talking to the elite and most if not all know the facts we have to talk to the average american

Name: E. Nedder
Email: enedder@hotmail.com
Profession: publisher
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for the information you provide. Unfortunately here in the US it is the Issraeli Government version that we hear.

You may want to kknow that I got to your site through Gush-Shalom.org. They provide a real alternative to the Issraeli Government.

We pray for all the Palestinians and the peace loving Israelis as well as our own victims of the recent terrorist acts in the US.

May peace soon be accomplished.

ETN

Name: nicky
Email:
Profession: bartender
Country: italy

Comments

long life to palestina

Name: James Hoare
Email: 75561.676@compuserve.com
Profession: Architectural Designer
Country: USA

Comments

Where can we,all people of the same world, and a short list of primal ancestors, look about us, or in our histories, and find much evidence of successful resolutions of the tribal conflicts that terrorize even our modern world. Although I am an American citizen born and raise in the States, I am also an Irish citizen. My father was born in Galway, Ireland, and as a member of the Irish Republican Army, fought against the British during the rebellion after 1916. His loathing for England diminished little despite 50 years in America.

Name: James Hoare
Email: 75561.676@compuserve.com
Profession: Architectural Designer
Country: USA

Comments

My prior comments regarding the intractable nature of tribal conflict, was submitted accidentally before I managed to say that it seems inherent in the process of negotiation to miss the critical mass 'value' of the thoughts and hopes of the individuals represented by 'representatives' who so often suffer from the mentalities of winning. It can't be a bad thing for those individuals to explore each other's humanity. A great opportunity afforded by the internet. Since this is my first visit to your website I can't say that you haven't provided this opportunity, I just haven't discovered it yet. Personally, I wish peace and prosperity to the Palestinian people.

Name: Laith M. Al-Masri
Email:
Profession: Student
Country: Canada

Comments

AMAZING job. Very well done. Easy to use and informative. Thank you

Name: Craig Woods
Email:
Profession: Program Manager (Software)
Country: USA

Comments

I am very impressed with the clarity of the political reason on this site. It has helped me understand the 'reasonable' Palestinian position, which offers the only hope of peace in this dark time.

However, while I abhor and oppose Israel's terrorist activity in Palestine, I would appreciate more discussion of Miftah's position on Palestinian-initiated terrorism on this site. It is disingenuous to imply that the Palestinian terrorist attacks are justified (by refusing to condemn them), while attempting to condemn Israel for it's responses to the terrorist attacks. If you are committed to dialogue, please include both sides of the conversation...

A universal renunciation of terrorism is the only hope of peace in our war-torn world...

Name: Dr Karen Gai Dean
Email: kdean@vtown.com.au
Profession: Lecturer in Humanities
Country: Australia

Comments

I commend your work and your informative website. In light of recent events I support your efforts to educate and to provide voices of balance and reason. For all our sakes', I wish you every success.

Name: Seniors USA
Email: president@senrs.com
Profession: USA national organization
Country: USA

Comments

Seniors USA Editorial

As we viewed the high jacked airplanes crash into the World Trade Center towers, we were outraged as all Americans at the suicidal bombings killing thousands of innocent Americans in our beloved New York City. 

As our rage festered through out the day, we came to realize terrorism is an ever present danger and every potential danger can never be prevented.  Terrorism may be minimized but terrorism can never be ruled out completely. 

America can only possibly find genuine security in a world where international law carries greater weight, democracy and stable government is more widespread, weapons proliferation is controlled through international agreement and governments cooperate much more closely in monitoring and capturing the kind of terrorists groups which perpetrated this week’s outrages. 

Seniors USA believes the US government should pursue a multilateralism policy by being more engaged than ever in international institutions and acting in concert with our allies.

Seniors USA further believes, it has been America’s lack of consistency in our relations with allies and foes alike, and our sporadic attention to places such as the Middle East, that have allowed virulent anti Americanism to fester.

We also believe our U.S. government should pursue the truth in every world crisis and when the truth is found, a course of action should then be pursued to correct any uncovered wrong without regard it may be not identified in our national security interest.

Of more importance, in keeping with one of our most important cornerstones when our country was formed, we adhere to the principle to provide justice to all. We believe now the entire world should be viewed without borders and the cornerstone of justice found for all in the USA should be expanded through out the entire world.

In keeping with these beliefs, we must remember America's 7 million Muslims and 6 million Arab-Americans are Americans just as much as we are and are not to be viewed as a lesser American or any way different in our love for America. Arab Americans Being Targeted as Scapegoats

If we hate, we give victory to the terrorists.

Jon Garrido, president, Seniors USA, http://www.senrs.com

Name: Seniors USA
Email: president@senrs.com
Profession: USA national organization
Country: USA

Comments

Seniors USA Editorial

As we viewed the high jacked airplanes crash into the World Trade Center towers, we were outraged as all Americans at the suicidal bombings killing thousands of innocent Americans in our beloved New York City. 

As our rage festered through out the day, we came to realize terrorism is an ever present danger and every potential danger can never be prevented.  Terrorism may be minimized but terrorism can never be ruled out completely. 

America can only possibly find genuine security in a world where international law carries greater weight, democracy and stable government is more widespread, weapons proliferation is controlled through international agreement and governments cooperate much more closely in monitoring and capturing the kind of terrorists groups which perpetrated this week’s outrages. 

Seniors USA believes the US government should pursue a multilateralism policy by being more engaged than ever in international institutions and acting in concert with our allies.

Seniors USA further believes, it has been America’s lack of consistency in our relations with allies and foes alike, and our sporadic attention to places such as the Middle East, that have allowed virulent anti Americanism to fester.

We also believe our U.S. government should pursue the truth in every world crisis and when the truth is found, a course of action should then be pursued to correct any uncovered wrong without regard it may be not identified in our national security interest.

Of more importance, in keeping with one of our most important cornerstones when our country was formed, we adhere to the principle to provide justice to all. We believe now the entire world should be viewed without borders and the cornerstone of justice found for all in the USA should be expanded through out the entire world.

In keeping with these beliefs, we must remember America's 7 million Muslims and 6 million Arab-Americans are Americans just as much as we are and are not to be viewed as a lesser American or any way different in our love for America.

If we hate, we give victory to the terrorists.

Jon Garrido, president, Seniors USA, http://www.senrs.com

Name: Kenneth Jopp
Email: kjopp@juno.com
Profession: retired educator
Country: USA

Comments

Great site

Name: Natalie Devine
Email: LEE@msn.com
Profession: Office Worker at an Electric Company
Country: United States Of America

Comments

Your webpage was quite interesting, although I don't quite agree with it all. I enjoyed looking through it and reading Palestinians view on things going on in the U.S.A and are approaches to different subjects.

Name: Nabil
Email: nabil2@home.com
Profession: student
Country: CAN

Comments

Your site is very well organized and I especially enjoy the Ashrawi articles.

It is a shame that all the information is here but it is still ignored by international gov'ts.

It is important to educate as many people as possible about the "real truth" of the middle east, as Western media is doing a very shoddy, at best, job of this!

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Sadpirate
Email: Sadpirate@dont4getpal.com
Profession: Com Programmer
Country: Palestine

Comments

Im Very happy about your site and wish you all the best .. Long Life Palestine

Name: jacquie Rahal
Email: jacquierahal@sprint.ca
Profession: media
Country: canada

Comments

Iwould really like to see these web sites updated.Thanks,keep up the good work.

Name: harvey j post
Email: y2b
Profession: temp worker[flexstaff]
Country: usa

Comments

greetings and salutations;

Name: Sall
Email: clomani@yahoo.com
Profession: Social worker
Country: France

Comments

The more I visit your site, the more I get satisfied... I'm mailing you today because, as an agnostic woman, I couldn't sign the last pray, but I really feel sorry a lot for all injustices your people had to handle with... And let me send you all my best thoughts this day of the 2nd Intifada's annivesary. Do we only have to cross our fingers to make things changing in your area ? Or can we excpect from Sharon some kind of thinking further ? I'm getting very pessimistic and worry a lot for Palestinian people. We are not living in an era of wisdom. Cl. Paris

Name: Harris Tote
Email: terrificaccident@yahoo.com
Profession: Consultant
Country: Switzerland

Comments

Interesting...

Name: RASHAD GHANEM SAIF ALKHAMRI
Email: RALKHAMRI@Y.NET.YE
Profession: RETIRED
Country: REP. OF YEMEN

Comments

IN MIFTAH.ORG. I SUCCESSFULLY SATISFIED IN THEIR WRITE-UP ARTICLES GIVEN BY THEIR PERMANENT WRITERS. BUT I SHALL BE MUCH GRATEFUL IF THERE IS A BLANK PAGE TO BE GIVEN TO ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS/NON-SUBSCRIBERS, I.E. READERS TO WRITE A SHORT MESSAGE ABOUT WHAT THEY KNOW, FEELS, ETC., ALSO I'M INTERESTED IF YOU CAN GIVE US A SHORT SUMMARY ABOUT THE CHILD MOHAMMED ALDURAH, AND ABOUT ALQUDS. TO ENABLE US TO REFRESH OUR STUDENTS. MANY THANKS

Name: Donald Gillespie Jr
Email: donegill@yahoo.com
Profession: Attorney
Country: USA

Comments

Keep up the clear, factual statements of conditions in Palestine. Write clearly and unemotionally what authorities do to citizens of Israel and the Territories. Consider joining with Peace Now regarding illegal settlements. The United States under Bush will certainly quit any pretense of support after dealing with the current Taliban or successors. Bush will adopt the same sorts of preconditions to statehood Sharon uses. In 1948 one Zionist booster said he would negotiate after a period of cease-fire after the second coming of the Messiah "whichever comes later".

Name: cl. Lapared
Email: clapared
Profession: trader
Country: Switzerland

Comments

One year ! So many wounded people ! So many injured children... Only because of a certain book called "the holly bible" ... Which one of the occidental countries is going to realise that Israël is ruled by a military dictatorship and stop all the injustices ? Which one of the same countries is going to face the truth : Israêl doesn't respect anybody, neither the rules, neither the UN resolutions... I wish Palestinian people get a better help from occidental countries (as you cannot apparently rely on your brothers...)

Name: m.major ross
Email: deeds for democracy and peace
Profession: president and founder
Country: us

Comments

if president arafat would publicily proclaim that the future generation can also be invovled in the peace process,we can see a just and lasting peace happening.i hope when secretary powell asks for his help with the palestinian future generation,he will help us to bring them aboard now.

Name: deeds for peace and democracy
Email: deedsforpeace@yahoo.com
Profession: president
Country: usa

Comments

we look foward to the moment when a "GOOD" peace can be realized.the moment history and hope rhyme in the middle east is with the future generation of both sides.

Name: m major ross
Email: deedsforpeace@yahoo.com
Profession: president,deeds for democracy and peace
Country: usa

Comments

this site is where one can get up to date info that is accurate and timely.keep up the great job as i know you will

Name: Douglas Bellizzi
Email: dbellizzi@yahoo.com
Profession: Teacher
Country: USA

Comments

Your web site is magnificent. For a long time I have looked on in disbelief, horror, and sorrow over the seemingly intractable problem in the Middle East over the Palestine-Israel dispute. What I never understood was why Palestine had not become a sovereign state by now, and why Israel has not withdrawn her armed forces from Palestinian land. So many times have I heard the eloquent voices of the leaders of the Palestinian people, Dr. Ashrawi among them, make compelling, reasonable, pleas for a just and expeditious settlement of the issues. I have recently become acquainted with Henry Cattan's book, The Palestine Question, and now I understand better the context and the depth of the injustice perpetrated upon the people of Palestine. Since turning those pages I have become even more concerned with this problem. Your web site provides much in the way of education, and insight. Your purpose is noble and your cause is right. May God help you. Thank you.

Name: Martin Tegg
Email: mpt4@waikato.ac.nz
Profession: Student
Country: New Zealand

Comments

Excellent site. I find Dr Hanan Ashrawi's articles particluarly interesting and of great consequence.

Name: Peter Miller
Email: peteskitoo@aol.com
Profession: computer programmer
Country: USA

Comments

I just finished Hanan Ashrawi's wonderful book, This Side of Peace. I hope and pray for the Palestinian people that they can have their land one day. Good luck, Peter Miller

Name: Joel Keller
Email: joelsk@mediaone.net
Profession: Information Technology
Country: USA

Comments

The only problem I see with this site is the name. There is no democracy associated with Palestinians. Other than that, you have a great site.

Name: Jan Oyama
Email: oyamaje@aol.com
Profession: Administrative Assistant
Country: USA

Comments

I have many friends in Palestine-the West Bank area. My heart hurts. Specific information about the areas around East Jerusalem and Bethany is difficult to get. Frustrating. Hold on.

Name: Dr. Hala Nassar
Email: hnassar@uclink.berkeley.edu
Profession: Post doc.
Country: USA

Comments

Dear Miftah,

Although I have changed the country of residence, from Berlin to Berkeley, I kept miftah on the top of my bookmarks.

Please keep me posted on your great work.

all the best.

Name: george awwad
Email: george@freepalestine.com
Profession: technology manager
Country: usa

Comments

Great Site. keep up the good work and god bless

Name: Judith Brown
Email: Sallydean22@aol.com
Profession: Nurse
Country: UK

Comments

I am very impressed with the up to date information on massacres in Palestine. What a pity the world doesn't look and listen, and act, as then we would be on the road to world peace. Salaam akakum. Judith.

Name: Ghadir Shafie
Email:
Profession: teacher
Country: Israel

Comments

I think that Miftah's contribution to our just fight for freedom is immense and crosses many borders. I religiously read the information posted on your web site and use it for referrence when writing to international newspapers. In the end, as always, justice will prevail. Keep up the admirable work. Ghadir of Akka

Name: Jerzy Rachowski
Email: suwerennosc@poczt.onet.pl
Profession: publicist
Country: Poland

Comments

Fully support Palestinians rights for homeland. Condition sine qua non for global peace: STOP JEWISH POLITICAL-RELIGIOUS GLOBAL MESSIANISM.

Name: Seniors USA
Email: jg@senrs.com
Profession: USA national organization
Country: USA

Comments

It is Time to Endorse and Support the Establishment of a Palestinian State

(Read yoday's editorial in Seniors USA, www.senrs.com)

Mesa, Arizona -- I am a 4th generation Hispanic American born and raised in a small town in Arizona. 25 miles away from my hometown is Florence, Arizona which long ago was a camp that looked much like army barracks except for the high barbed wire fence surrounding the compound.

This was my first experience of how a group of people was supposedly enclosed to protect our national security. The enclosed group was Japanese American.

My second experience occurred when I was a U.S. soldier in Europe. I had seen news videos but it was not until I visited Dachau, Germany that I saw with my own eyes the savage, despicable and cruel actions of the German Government and Military toward Jews.

I thought the Japanese American camp in Florence, Arizona was deplorable but Dachau was a much more appalling and decadent site of animalistic behavior of one group toward another. - -

    Dachau, Germany, 9 miles north of Munich, was the site of the first Nazi concentration camp. Visiting it was a chilling experience for me. This is a picture of a guard house on the perimeter of the camp. On the other side of the camp the ovens are still intact.

      The stark gray camp enclosed by high gray walls still smelled of ash — human ash. There was an eerie stillness that pervaded the camp. I remember noticing there were no birds chirping or even seen. It was a wasteland of death.  On that day, the day forever became etched in my memory.

On that day, I shed tears for the murdered Jews.

On that day, I wore my army uniform.

On that day, civilian visitors looked at me with pride.

On that day, I was proud to be an American soldier.

Sunday night as I watch HBO's Band of Brothers I was vividly reminded how the German Government and military had tragically enforced cruel and inhumane behavior towards other members of our global community that were different.

I had seen pictures of German concentration camps but the actual seeing of the ovens has been one of the most chilling moments I have ever experienced of degrading animalistic savage behavior of one group toward another group.

I thought then I would never again experience anything so shameful.

I was wrong.

The Middle East

The similarities of what took place toward European Jews seem to be an extreme paradox. Now the roles have reversed and Jews are now doing the same to Palestinians as they themselves experienced at the hands of the German Government and military.

I have never been to Jerusalem. I have never been to the Middle East. Each day I read most major national and international newspapers. I realize I am only an distant observer of all that happens in the Middle East and certainly as an observer, I can not even begin to experience the way a Palestinian resident lives on a daily basis with the sad occurrences and mental stress resulting from bondage found in the West Bank and Gaza.

This is like an innocent person serving a jail term. Compounding the misery is not knowing how long the sentence will be; consequently, not knowing when the jail term will come to an end. It is hard to have hope living under these conditions. This is worse than being in a prison. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza are forced to live in isolation and misery, imprisoned in their villages by Israeli road closings. Water and food is rationed. Medical services are beyond reach. Worst yet must be the feeling of loosing one's house at any moment to an Israeli bull dozer. 15 minutes to remove all belongings collected over a life time is much in the same as German military removing German Jews from their homes.

Palestinian housing is bull dozed supposedly because of the lack of a building permit. The semantics have changed since Germany but the end result is one in the same as the rationale used to justify European Jews loosing their homes, their businesses, and other assets confiscated by the German military.

Palestinians live under constant threat and intimidation brought about by Israeli tanks, personnel carriers and helicopter gun ships sent at the whim whenever the need arises to raid Palestinian villages.

As a far away observer I realize my observations and thoughts may not have validity but I think some things are very apparent just as they were at the end of World War II.

Two very distinct groups live within the same general area but yet there are certain sub areas one of which is called Israeli and the other is called Palestinian but the Palestinian area keeps getting smaller and smaller.

Israel continues to aggressively build and enlarge settlements in the West Bank. Oslo did not mandate an end to settlements but in the eight years since then, the number of settlers has doubled: a record utterly inconsistent with the Oslo premise Palestinians would in time rule their land. At the rate the Israelis are expanding, there will be a point soon reached where there will be no more land to establish a Palestinian State.

As for the Israelis, they live in fear of suicide bombings and other violence. Jerusalem restaurants are empty because people do not want to leave their homes. Some big hotels have closed because there are virtually no tourists.

Is there any way now to envision an end to this conflict? Or is there going to be no end?

We as Americans are indirectly to blame for much of what happens in the Middle East and certainly American Foreign Policy has been directly responsible for the abuse of the Palestinians.

This has been brought about by unbalanced support of Israel over that of the Palestinians.

Today I read the Israelis are beginning to pull back helicopter gun ships, tanks and armored vehicles from the small towns invaded this week but each village pull out is conditioned with no further violence forth coming from the Palestinians.

It is beyond belief than a government that sends in an invading overwhelming military force can expect the occupied captured area residents to remain docile and not react with anger.

The time is long over due to stop these senseless military invasions and end all hostilities.

Primarily because of our guilt in what happened to German and other European Jews, we have allowed the pendulum to swing to far in one direction by blindly supporting Israel at the expense of the Palestinians.

Americans believe in justice and for too long we have turned the other way as Israel imposes its will on a people whose land is being over ridden time and time again. It is time for Americans to do the right thing in the Middle East.

We now need to demand this injustice be corrected.

The United States Government within the last few days has openly informed the Sharon Government to withdrawn from occupied Palestinian villages.

Not only are these daily requests ignored by the Sharon Government but daily there is a new Israeli military invasion of a Palestinian village.

In order to protect and safeguard an invaded people, the only humane alternative is to now support a Palestinian State.

The Creation of a Palestinian State   The only feasible solution to achieve a stop to violence in the Middle East is to eliminate the injustice. American Foreign Policy should now change too endorse and support the establishment of a Palestinian State with all rights and privileges of an independent government.   Negotiations and USA requests have not nor will not achieve peace in the Middle East so the peace negotiation process should be bypassed with the USA endorsing and supporting the creation of a Palestinian State. The US Government should now instruct the Palestinians to proceed and set a date for the creation of the new Palestinian State.   The only way this can work is for American Foreign Policy to include and provide funding and other assistance to enable the newly formed Palestinian State to build a solid foundation to ensure positive growth and well being for Palestinian citizens.

The Palestinian State would consist of the entire West Bank and Gaza with Israel abandoning all Israeli settlements now occupied.

The USA through the United Nations should then provide all that is necessary to enforce and protect the actions of the new Palestinian State, namely to remove all Israelis living in the West Bank and Gaza.   There should also be penalties decreasing the amount of American foreign aid given to Israel in the event housing is destroyed by vacating Israelis.   Jerusalem should be divided in such a way that sites important to Israel remain within Israeli jurisdiction and sites important to Palestinians to include Arab East Jerusalem should be given to the Palestinians. The USA then would do all in its influence to have the United Nations enforce the division and administration of Jerusalem until such time the new administration of Jerusalem is agreed to by the parties.   The Palestinian Foreign Aid Plan

The United States should contribute foreign aid to the Palestinian State and should spear head a comprehensive nation building program to include the attraction of commerce and industry to create jobs enhancing the economic base of the new Palestinian state.

This would include but not be limited to debt relief, sweeping debt rescheduling, new low-interest loans and grants from the United States stretching over many years. Washington should urge allies to do the same.

In addition, the Bush administration would use its influence to support new loan programs by the I.M.F. and the World Bank, including an anti-poverty loan worth about $500 million from the I.M.F. and possibly a line of credit, at higher rates, of some $1 billion.

Palestine should also receive trade benefits including a higher quota or lower tariffs for its exports to the United States.

Violations by either Israel or the new Palestinian State should result in proportional deductions in American foreign aid.

Palestinian Refugees

For Palestinians driven from their home land and wanting to return to the new Palestinian State, the expense of caring for Palestinian refugees and relocation costs should be bore by the United Nations spearheaded by the American Government.

Educating the American public

The United States is now at war and the price of security is ever increasing. The February Olympics in Salt Lake City will spend over $300 hundred million for security. Added to the cost of 15 billion dollars to bail out the airlines and 40 billion dollars for New York is only the beginning of the very high burden of protecting America.

Each day, the cost is enormous to fight in Afghanistan and to secure nearly every possible terrorist target in the United States. Many National Guard units have been activated to secure our homeland and to serve in Asia. The price for all of this will approach 300 hundred billion dollars.

The cost of uncertainty is dramatically taking its toll on all Americans. America was formally declared to be in a recession this week when two consecutive periods of the GNP were negative.

The loss of jobs and incomes resulting from the recession will have a severe economic impact that will be felt by all Americans.

Every dollar spent on the war on terrorism and the loss of federal revenue is a dollar taken away from education, from providing prescription drug coverage in Medicare, from reforming health care, from nearly all the programs Americans want and need.

This is a horrible way to acknowledge we live in a world community where the air moving from the flapping of a butterfly in one part of the world can lead to a tornado on the other side of this world.

We can not idly stand by and let any injustice happen anywhere in the world because it will have an adverse impact on our way of life.

We must provide foreign aid because it is a major way to influence and safeguard our precious democracy. The cost certainly will be high but it will never be as high as the cost of fighting terrorism in our homeland and seeing our way of life diminish.

For these reasons, Seniors USA will host regional symposiums next year allowing all participants to address terrorism and becoming active participants in our country's foreign policy.

We need to become involved. If any of this makes sense to you, email this page to your friends and to elected officials that represent you.

Jon Garrido, Chairman & CEO Seniors USA www.senrs.com     

Name: Susan Mmarmaduke
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Sr. Elaine Kelley
Email: kelleysfcc1@aol.com
Profession: Administrator
Country: US

Comments

I am thankful for the work of Dr. Ashrawi and her extraordinary gifts in communication. Her ability to transcend cultural and language barriers and the warmth she generates with her very humanistic approach are a great blessing to the justice and peace movement.

Name: Anne McLaughlin
Email: annemcl@teleport.com
Profession: City Planner
Country: Portland, Oregon, USA

Comments

3 november 2001

Name: Charles D. Kamilos
Email: ckamilos@georgefox.edu
Profession: Librarian
Country: USA

Comments

Very nice site. It was very good that you came to Portland, Oregon. Many of us in America believe that there will be no peace until Palestinian issues are addressed.

Name: Jan Oyama
Email: oyamaje@aol.com
Profession: Administrative Assistant
Country: USA

Comments

This weekend I saw a presentation from someone who had just returned from the West Bank. I have known how horrible the situation has been, but to see the devastation of entire neighborhoods of innocent, regular people was sickening. To see Sharon's home garishly adorned with flag and menorah in East Jerusalem, oppressively looking down on the Arab shops and street was sickening. To see the Arabic portion of signs scraped off as a vandal would do, leaving only Hebrew wording--in East Jerusalem--was sickening. To see armed Jewish guards that had taken over Arab shops in Old Jerusalem was sickening. I am reminded of a passage in the Gospels where a person had a great debt forgiven. He, in turn, was owed a small amount from someone. But, instead of forgiving the small debt owed him, he ungraciously demanded it repaid. In 2000 years, it appears that many in leadership in Israel have not learned gratitude and have forgotten the kindnesses shown to them in their times of horror. My heart grieves for the children, the youth, the parents of the oppressed. It has been said of holocaust survivors, that we live to bear testimony. Thank you, Miftah, for giving a medium in which to share the truth of what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza. We live to bear testimony--to our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers, our communities. May we be motivated by Wisdom and Truth in true love for one another.

Name: Irma Trommlitz
Email: itrommlitz@aol.com
Profession: real estate
Country: USA

Comments

I attended Hanan Ashrawi's talk in Portland, OR. I wanted to know more about Jerusalem as a stumbling block to a Palestinian State and agreement with Israel. I am not optimistic about either side being willing to give up occupation and control of Jerusalem and hence no peace. I wonder if there has ever been discussion of Jerusalem as an international city? I would find it interesting to see a discussion of Jerusalem as the home of the United Nations. No nation shall own Jerusalem or control it...Take the UN out of New York and establish a true world government home for the UN. The UN would then rule this territory and Palestine and Israel would divide the remainder of the land but retain home ownership inside Jerusalem and access and control of their holy sites as they always have. Washington DC has special status in the USA....

I have not had time to fully explore your site but intend to read more. I am disappointed in Israeli atttitudes and assasination as a state policy but this does not excuse the promotion of suicide bombers as martyrs and use of assasination by terrorist organizations either. Violence begets violence. No one is free from blame in this fight. I am worried that moderates are being lost on both sides as the violence escalates. I have visited Israel and Jordon but 10 years ago. It was more peaceful. I was surprised to hear that a single state with right of return was ever on the table as an option. Maybe my hearing was not good. Could this ever work after so much pain? I see orthodox Jews as more unwilling than Muslims on this score. You have a problem when you get people who want a state to insure the supremacy of one religion be it.....Taliban, Saudi, Persian or Jew.

I hope to update myself about the Palestinian view. It seemed like Hanan Ashrawi was being realistic which I appreciated.

Name: Paul Richardson
Email: prich@earthlink.net
Profession: Electrical Engineer
Country: USA

Comments

I am looking to mobilize other folks here in the states in support of the US government demanding that Israel repsect UN resolutions 242 and 338 (though I would prefer that they respect 242)

Additionally, I would like to implore the Palestinian people to try and hold back on their so called "terrorist" acts as it only serves to give Israel more excuses to become more and more oppressive.

As an African American, to a first order I can empathize with your struggle

regards

Paul Richardson

Name: Eileen Willis
Email: haveagooddaymom@aol,com
Profession: office specialist 2 Or dept of Transportation
Country: USA

Comments

Thank you for a more broader perspective than I had before. This seems very informative and I'll be reading more of it. Thanks again, Eileen

Name: LN
Email: lanassar@cyberia.net.lb
Profession: consultant
Country: Lebanon

Comments

To whom it may concern,

I have been enjoying reading your articles and letters BUT I will be cancelling my email address due to travel arrangements. I would really appreciate if you can UNSUBSCRIBE ME OUT of your current list for now and I will sunbscribe as soon as I have another email address. Much appreciated, LN

Name: Khaled Sa'aran
Email: ksaaran@classicfm.net
Profession: Documentary filmmaker
Country: UK

Comments

Nothing to say but: excellent, keep the hard and blessed work.

Name: Elisabeth Macdonald
Email: lifmacdonald@classicfm.net
Profession: Teacher
Country: UK

Comments

Thank God for people like you, who under the most horrifying conditions still searche for and uphold the truth.

Name: Yasmine Hadjoudj
Email: yasmine_had@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: Canada

Comments

Excellent website, up to date, easy to navigate, and rich in information. This is instinctively my first source of information for statistics and releases on recent events of the Intifada. It's also a real pleasure to have the insights of Dr Ashrawi on various issues.

Thank you.

Name: Douglas Ewing
Email: dewing@gc.cuny.edu
Profession: Education
Country: USA

Comments

I am pleased to see the efforts of MIFTAH as illustrated on your web site. I follow events in the struggle for Palestine regularly, and this site will be added to my list of references. Doug

Name: Ginny Callander
Email: gcallander@mediaone.net
Profession: Event Manager
Country: US

Comments

I have followed the conflict in the Middle East for far too long. The sorrow and pain that Palestinians have endured has gone on for far too long. As an American and a citizen of the world, I am frustrated by the inability of countries to recognize the supreme rights of the Palestinian people to live in peace without the threat of occupation.

I have had the pleasure of meeting people from the Gaza and the West Bank. Peace achieved through violence is false so it is my hope that it can be acheived through recognition of the rights of all peoples. Dr. Hannan Ashrawi is such an eloquent and lucid speaker on this subject.

I have done volunteer work as an ESL tutor to people in the US coming from countries particulary in the Middle East.

I would like to receive information and updates about current situations, but additionally, would like to know how I as an American citizen might be able to help.

Thank you.

Name: Hazem Abu-Lughod
Email: hlughod@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: USA

Comments

Great site. Filled with facts. I'm might have not been through the sitethouroughly, but I was wondering if there is any content regarding the atrocities commited in 1948 and the results of it (e.g. confescated homes and land). Keep up the good work and best regards.

Name: John Smith
Email:
Profession:
Country: USA

Comments

I was realy glade that you write in English. Please write more about the situation in Palestine. Thank you

Name: T. Lodal
Email: lodal@mobilixnet.dk
Profession: student
Country: Denmark

Comments

It's a very useful web site. I found it searching for documents about the palestinian history. About the sitation of the palestinian people I want to say this to you: I feel so ashamed that the western world - and Denmark - don't want to face the reality and suffering of the palestinian people. Israel has really suceeded it's propaganda against your people in the western world, and that's a big shame. It's hard for me to tell the difference between Sharon and Milosewish, and I wish that USA some day wake up and see what suffering they are to blame by supporting Israel unconditionally. My hope for the palestinian people is that they very soon can get a homeland. Best wishes T. Lodal

Name: The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Philip de Rochambeau
Email: archbishop@thechurchforall.org
Profession: Presiding Bishop of the Apostolic Church
Country: United States

Comments

As-salaamu Alaikum,

There can be no Peace in the Middle East until those Islamics living in repressive Regimes enjoy the freedoms of Liberty and Democracy.

The Palestinians have the same right to a homeland as the Israelis, and both Israel and the United States should be working to support President Arafat and his State in building a Free, Democratic, Prosperous State, just as the United States and General MacArthur did with the Emperor and People of our FORMER enemy, Japan.

Rebellion comes from dissatisfied citizens. A prosperous nation, fellowshipped by the world community, both Arab and not.

Wa Alaikum As-Salaam

His Grace,

Archbishop de Rochambeau

Name: Charlie Anderson
Email: netnasrudin@netscape.net
Profession: Decorative Painter
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

Mr. Husseini, First, I sincerely apologize if my midnight anguish and anger over what feels like another nail in the coffin of humanity confused or obscured my message. I hope,(but doubt),that I was clear that my sentiments and condemnation were directed solely at the perpetrators of this act and no others,least of all you or your mission. I should also have made clear that I believe that many actions of both Israel and the United States are, and have consistently been, unfair, criminal and sometimes savage or barbaric. I further believe that the behaviors of the U.S. world-wide constitute a legacy of "sin"; of tragic, jingoist, rapine abandonment of the original ideals. I cannot relate this State to the thoughts of Jefferson, et al.I was a firm supporter of the Viet Cong during the U.S. Viet Nam "conflict". I now have and support NO "side" or "team".

I respectfully suspect that you do.

I have come to believe that "sides" MUST always impose blindness to complexity and to their own subjectivity.Earthly logistics and the human ego demand it. I'm sure I was totally unclear about just who the "elevated society" was. I refer to NONE of the "sides" or "teams" or tribes.They should rarely be characterized in any light, "good" or "bad","right" or "wrong", because they are comprised of hopelessly diverse individuals. (YES, I recognize diversity.) I referred to those people mixed throughout ALL the "sides" who recognize the insanity & evil of blowing up random people, perhaps, & sometimes probably,innocent of political conflict. I believe that those individuals constitute a society of much greater importance than any delineated by language, custom, imaginary lines, etc., and yeah, it's elevated. I also believe it's incumbent on that society to protect itself from the criminally insane, no matter what side they are on. To even consider the emotional condition or the "reason" for blowing up "Oh, whoever's there" AS OPPOSED to targeting of military or political opponents is part of the politically correct obfuscation that I no longer tolerate. I can respect a person who kills a soldier, even if it was me, in an armed conflict, even though I totally disagree with his or her politics. I also understand that that this is sometimes not an option and POLITICAL enemies are a "teams'" only target option.But those who use any random baby as a tool to hurt their enemy (rather than disabling their enemy) ARE savage vermin who, like the measles, make it neccessary that they simply be dispatched.

And by the way, the only POSSIBLE solution to the quagmire freshened & reinforced daily by ALL parties is one which could never happen because the ponderous individual and tribal egos would be miffed & offended: Since ALL religious and cultural and political parties have proven themselves incapable of any resolution, it seems obvious that only those U.N. members most distant from the situation, particularly religiously, could possibly administer any & all Holy Sites, and/or determine the "equitable" division of lands seperately from ANY state.(ONLY Hindus, Bhuddists, Animists & probably only Asian & African States as arbitrators & stewards) NO Christians, NO Muslims, NO Jews. You're right, the grand & dignified Gods of Self-Determination on all sides would NEVER allow such an insane, humiliating scheme. So, we'll go back to blowin' up babies. "We're working this out just fine,thank you."

Ah, well.

Good luck, God bless.

Charlie Anderson

Name: Sharon Thomas
Email: sthomas197@home.com
Profession: retired
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

MIFTAH is an invaluable website for those seeking the full picture vis-a-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I strongly recommend it to Americans.

Most Americans receive day-to-day news from the major U.S. TV media. Thus, unfortunately, most of us are denied the full scope of relevant facts and perspectives regarding this ongoing conflict.

Name: Arab American
Email:
Profession: engineer
Country: USA (from Palestine originally)

Comments

Very nice website. The yahood have been controlling the US media and spreading propaganda so much, however it is nice to see a more accurate website that details the sad FACTS and REALITIES of the illegal Israel military occupation...keep up the good work! LONG LIVE PALESTINE AND LONG LIVE THE ARAB WORLD!!! WE ARE FIGHTING A JUST CAUSE AND WE ARABS WILL NOT STOP UNTIL EVERYTHING THAT WAS STOLEN FROM US IS RETURNED!!!

Name: Garey K. Jefferson
Email: gkjsig6@aol.com
Profession: police officer
Country: USA

Comments

Interesting to find another voice about the middle east.

Name: w.richman
Email: w.richman@worldnet.att.net
Profession: retired
Country: usa

Comments

Ms. Ashrawi is a voice of moderation and reason, but in this country at least she must feel like a voice in the wilderness. Is there an appropriate way I can email her? It seems to me there needs to be support of moderation in addition to the Palestinians themselves. I find that even respected NPR comentators seem to have blinders on. Thank you.

Name: Laurie MacSween
Email: hoyden_gal@hotmail.com
Profession: flight attendant
Country: Australia

Comments

Thank you again for the privilege of adding my voice in solidarity with the Palestinian people...I felt it appropriate and necessary to express my outrage at the latest "tactics" / the criminal acts perpetrated by the israeli govt,and in particular the evil opportunism of sharon drawing analogy/justification for such attacks from Sept 11 nyc attacks.....it is also typical the u.s govt does not urge restraint......it is also typical that both israel/u.s blame Chairman Arafat for "allowing" terror to reign,expecting that he alone has control over extremist elements,Hamas or Hezbollah.....and as pointed out....it is very difficult for the Palestinian authorities to hold suspects in gaols being bombed by the OCCUPYING forces.Israel is NOT a nation protecting its territory......it is an occupier not interested at all in any peaceful negotiations/dialogue....ALL extremes must brought to justice....thereby clearing a path to peace.....I realize i preach to the "converted" here...i encourage everyone to comment/speak out against these atrocities.I wish the Palestinian people peace,love and hope in this struggle......sincerely,unwaivering...L.Macsween AUST.

Name: claire Sall
Email: clomani@yahoo.com
Profession: social worker
Country: France

Comments

No comments about the site... Would only like to know what to do from France to help Palestinian people against this bloody Sharon's reaction ...

Name: Jenifer Dixon
Email: jenifer_dixon@mindspring.com
Profession: writer/activist
Country: USA

Comments

Your website has been a great help to me in adding to the information I put on my own, GlobalSpin. As someone who has been active and informed about the Palestinian issue for years, I would like to extend my apologies for being a citizen of the most barbaric country on the planet, and to the hideous treatment of your people by it and Israel. Jenifer Dixon

Name: Zak Tylove
Email: ztylove@usa.net
Profession: Human Rights Activist
Country: USA

Comments

The Untied States has just gave the green line to the Israeli government to unleash its weapons of destruction and its murderous Army on the Palestinian people and their institutions. Fighting "terrorism" had been used to justify the killing of children in Palestine and Afghanistan. One question remains. What would the United States and Israel do should Mr. Arafat resign from office and conduct free elections and a Palestinian that is of ill-favor with the United States and Israel is voted in office, would Israel and the US stop their relentless war against the Palestinians? The answer is NO. The United States fully supports the Israeli extreme and Nazi-like government due to the haunting fact of all the atrocities inflicted on the native people of America in order for the United States to come to being. Israel is trying to kill, expell and subdue the native population of Palestine. Is there similarity? YES there is. Israel is seeking the approval of the feircest terrorist regime on the planet, the US. That way two rogue governments can justify their terrorism and call it a war on terror. The Afghani people and the Palestinians are victims of terror and their resistence to occupation and oppression will never be judged as "terrorism" at the will of the US or Israel. I apologize for being both American and Jewish. After all those years the Jews are doing exactly what Hitler had done to them. Could it be that Zionism is a daughter of Nazism? YES indeed. There is enough Jews on this planet that believe in the rights of the Palestinians to their home land and wish to live in Palestine as guests of the state.

Name: N. Eaisha Pressimone
Email: npress3@bellsouth.net
Profession: Administrative assistant
Country: USA

Comments

One simple comment: I feel it is the apex of disgrace for American foreign policy implicating the HOLY LAND FOUNDATION in terroist activities, and by placing its assets on hold. They are the largest Muslim charity in the US where much of its contributions go to Palestinian ( whether Christian, Muslim, or Jewish ) children.

Are we all so certain this is not another step towards bringing the USA closer to dictatorship -while closing in on the Palestinians even more.

This is a policy of suffocation by a power the Palestinians didn't count on. Why don't they scrutinize the drug cartels in their own land, first!

Name: jim Cadieux
Email: jpc@pshift.com
Profession: Businessman
Country: United States

Comments

Listened to Hassan Abdel Rahman on Charlie Rose(Public Television) and although well intended Mr Rahman does not have the speaking abilities or presence of Dr Hanan Ashrawri or Edward Said. I strongly suggest that Dr Ashrawri get over here pronto and plead the Palestinian cause before all is lost. The Palestinians need a media blitz desperately to change their image. Act now!!!

Name: Davis Andrews
Email: Dallahakbar@excite.com
Profession:
Country: USA

Comments

Very informative site (Factsheets).

Name: Susan Stamm
Email: susan@teamapproach.com
Profession: teambuilding in the workplace
Country: USA

Comments

Prayers and blessings to the important work that you are doing. Someday the world will understand that to resolve terrorism we must address the problems of so many oppressed people in this world including Palistinians. I pray that you can have an impact on the suffering of so many innocent people and children.

Name: erik torp nielsen
Email: etn@ats.dk
Profession: teacher
Country: denmark

Comments

I miss some maps that show the israely expansion in territory and the growth of the population from about the year 1900 in palestine.

Name: Greg
Email: poli_sci_major2001@hotmail.com
Profession: Political Science Student
Country: America

Comments

I am so sorry for all the hardships your nation is currently undergoing. I have a deep level of sympathy for Palestine, and want you to know that there are people in America who sympathize with your situation. I hope that you find peace soon. I cannot, however, say that anyone is totally without fault, I know what the Prophet (PBUH) said about fighting those who have expelled you from your land (Surah 22:40), however, I cannot fathom that God would prefer the killing of innocents over genuine peaceful attempts at resolving this sordid affair. Anyway, your site has been insightful, and helpful, thank you.

Name: Julian Morcinek
Email: jmorcinek@sat-con.demon.co.uk
Profession: Engineer
Country: England

Comments

To the Palestinian diaspora, wherever you so live, you have my unqualified support for your simple and just aim of a Palestinian state, free from the daily humiliation and oppression of the occupiers.

I am just a working man, whose power lies in informing both family and friends of your plight. And perhaps, only from the accumulation of the insignificant breath of such talk, can it drive the winds of change that will bend and break the very chains of oppression. We must live in hope.

Best wishes

Julian Morcinek

Name: Greg Rogers
Email: gregtrogers@hotmail.com
Profession: video editor
Country: USA

Comments

I feel a need to express that even though I am American, I am appalled at the behavior of the leadership and military of Israel in their treatment of Palestinians, and I am embarassed that my country is in support of a state that engages in such behavior. I hope you know that there are some Americans who feel sympathy for the Palestinians and would love to have peace in the Middle East. I will also write my congressman to let him know I dissapprove of U.S. support of Israel or any other state that engages in barbaric behavior.

It is unsettling to see Palestinians celebrate terrorist strikes, but at the same time, I realize that this does not represent all Palestinians. It must also be difficult to keep a sense of humanity towards one's percieved enemies after a life of degradation and humiliation at their hands.

Please realize that there are Americans who do care about the Palestians' problems. Of course, there are a lot of Americans who don't even know what the situation is over there (or anywhere else, for that matter).

Thank you, Greg

Name: Carl Chapman
Email: crlchp@aol.com
Profession: architect
Country: USA

Comments

I enjoyed visiting your web site and have some particular comments regarding your headline article: "The 51st State". It seems to me that this represents a pretty fair summary of official Palestinian views. If so, it's intersting because it very concisely summarizes the kind of comments you hear on the media from various Palestinian spokespeople. My basic question regarding these positions is this: Does this represent the only possible avenue to achieve peace, in your opinion? I feel that a good peace settlement would be to "trade" the concept of a right of return (to inside '67 Israel) for land on most (90%?) of the land of the West Bank plus Gaza. The reason why it is not 100% is that I feel Israel should annex the three important settlement blocks (not isolated settlements, not those close to the main West Bank towns, not create long corridors of land which would cut up territory and break the West Bank into "cantons"). The suburbs of Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, and the Samaria block up to Ariel are important to Israel. In fact, the Taba map, the Beilin-Abu Mazen map are based on this concept. I think the Alpher map is better still. It takes these areas into consideration, roughly 11%, and draws a clear, uncomplicated border around them. My point is not to get into exact details, but simply to say in principle this seems to be a good way to go. It isn't simply punative to Israel, which incidently, seems to be your side's biggest negotiating mistake. You so consistently paint yourselves as victims (witness the headline article on your web site which uses the terms "refugee","occupation", "apartide", within the space of two paragraphs) you forget, in my opinion, that a sucessful negotiation must be a win-win situation. You are getting a state! That is huge -- something not to be taken lightly. Israel gains international recognition for a very few settled areas outside the green line, slightly improved borders and international recognition of Jerusalem, including significant parts of "East Jerusalem". That sweetens the deal for them, makes it more palitable. But most of the West Bank, all of Gaza, and some parts of Jerusalem forever become Palestine! I look at your tourist map on this web site, and I can see the vision behind it. The West Bank, of course, is the Biblical heatland of the country, it will be an even greater magnet for tourism, and foreign investment etc. It's a great vision and something you should be rushing to accept, to make real. Why can't this approach (something more than Camp David, less than Taba) work?? It could be great for everyone... Thanks for listening Carl

Name: Tal Meyerstein
Email: tal67@hotmail.com
Profession: Engineer
Country: Israel

Comments

As a peace loving Israeli, who supports the right of the palestinian people for their own state, I expect to find articles of self-criticism in your site. Who is to blame for the 1 year Intifada which has only receded the struggle of the palestinian people? Is it only Israel? Why don't you criticise the "hate camps" in which children are taught to hate Israel? Why do you fall into the trap of arab media which is always set to victim mode and never criticises its leaders?

Name: Hannis T. Latham, III
Email: hannis3@msn.com
Profession: businessman
Country: U.S.A.

Comments

You have an impressive and informative web site. I intend to spend more time visiting here in the future.

God Bless!

htl iii

Name: joseph
Email: thortonmelon222@aol.com
Profession: stock trader
Country: usa

Comments

God bless u all for presenting the situation from a true perspective. and not that of the cheer leading papers of occupation like the new york post.. I nominate Dr. hanan ashwari as president of the palestinian people.. its time for a change.. with a brave person like yourself the achievement of palestine will be right around the corner.. Im hoping our gov can put aside special interest groups and believe in the rights of humanity and dignity and not apartheid.. long live people with the bravery to press for freedom.. god bless

Name: Martin Forberg
Email: martin.forberg@dradio.de
Profession: Journalist
Country: Germany

Comments

In these days I`am not so eager to comment this or another aspect of your website, but would just like to wish you all the best and give you greetings in the hope that violence will end soon.

Yours sincerely

Martin Forberg

Name: Sergey Nikolaevich
Email: sergeyboy2001@yahoo.com.au
Profession: student
Country: Australia

Comments

Thanks a million for your informative site! I am fortunate to have lived among the Palestinian people,and to a certain extent participated in your sorrows and tribulations.My deepest sympathy goes towards you. The day Palestine is finally liberated will be the happiest day of my life!God bless you all, for he is the Greatest and He will win in the end!:)

Name: Dawn Aleta Borhan
Email: sunshine@persian.com
Profession: teacher
Country: U.S.

Comments

I hope that the U.S. government is sincerely interested in peace. However, the American Zionist still line the pockets of the"good old boys" and continued U.N. vetos by the U.S. tells me that talk is cheap!I'll be proud to be an American when we stop condoning genocide!

Name: Geoff Browning
Email: geoff.browning@compaq.com
Profession: Technology Consultant
Country: USA

Comments

Hello, I'm looking for info about the school books that allegedly contain "incitements" against Jews and Israelis. Is there some place where I can find this info? I think it is important to counter these allegations and it would be even better if the allegations refuted by the US or Amnesty Intnl. I like the website. Thank you, Geoff

Name: Geoff Browning
Email: geoff.browning@compaq.com
Profession: Technology Consultant
Country: USA

Comments

Hello, I'm looking for info about the school books that allegedly contain "incitements" against Jews and Israelis. Is there some place where I can find this info? I think it is important to counter these allegations and it would be even better if the allegations could be refuted by the UN or Amnesty Intnl. or RHR or some other independent organization. The Jewish lobby is getting a lot of mileage out of these allegations. I like the website. Thank you and Salaam, Geoff

Name: Jennifer L Kozlowski
Email: j_koz@hotmail.com
Profession: government (county level)
Country: USA

Comments

Thanks! I appreciate what you are doin to make life better for all Palestinians. Having met both Dr. Ashrawi and Ruba Ibrahim I know if the women of Palestine could set the agenda that peace would prevail! God Bless and Peace be with you

Name: Said Bshara
Email: s_bashara@hotmail.com
Profession: Accountant
Country: Australia

Comments

Dear All at MIFTAH.Org

That's a great and constructive site, up to the level of challenge and situation the Palstinian people facing in their day to day life. Thank you for that and please keep up .....

Said Bshara

Name: Anna Thomas
Email: momtjj@ptld.uswest.net
Profession: registered nurse
Country: USA

Comments

Love your site. Would like more information on what informed Americans can do to show support on the Palestinian issue.

Name: Kathleen Denny
Email: kathleendenny@mindspring.com
Profession: machinist/air frame mechanic
Country: US

Comments

Very useful source of news and perspective. Not all the links to Dr. Ashrawi's comentaries went through, unfortunately. Is there discussion on the perspective of a democratic, secular Palestine that would encompass all who live there? In Berkeley, Dr. Ashrawi referred to a single state as something that result if the Palestinian state does not, but not as a positive good in itself.

Name: Marilyn Seiberling
Email: mseiberl@inreach.com
Profession: professional
Country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Comments

I found your site through Arabia.com. Please add my address to your mailing list. Sharon is a butcher and should be removed by any method possible. He should have the same fate as Ben Laden.

Name: Rosie
Email:
Profession:
Country: Engand

Comments

I am a Christian, and found out that Hanan Ashrawi is also a Christian. Wanting to learn more about her, and the situation in the Middle East, I discovered your organisation's website. Your website is very informative, and I shall continue to visit for further information. I feel deeply for all peoples in this region, and will be praying that peace, grace, forgiveness and tolerance can, with God's will, allow brothers and sisters (of any, and all, faiths and nationalities) to live peaceably alongside one another.

Name: A.L.
Email:
Profession: Student
Country: Israel

Comments

Dr. Hanan Ashrawi:

The Palestinian people are far from being the Israelis' "source of legitimacy" (taken from your latest article posted on this site). Not only is this a pompous and condescending position to hold, it is historically incorrect. I will adopt what you once told me in private conversation: "Reread your history." I advise you to do the same. If I wanted to be pompous and condescending, I could rightly claim that _Israel_ is the Palestinians' source of political legitimacy (who knows whether you would be speaking nowadays of A Palestinian People, The Palestinian Aspirations, etc., were it not for the establishment of the State of Israel). I tend to think that you, as a Christian, would not so willingly identify yourself with what nowadays have become your fellow Palestinians, victims of the same occupation, natives of the same Historical Palestine. Your opportunistic narrative is beginning to tire me, and many others beside me. Have youd memorized every line in Said's "Orientalism?" You are not the source of my legitimacy, nor am I the source of yours, but we can both acknowledge each other's respective legitimacy. Such should be the position of a seeker of peace, as you claim to be. But please, if I am to avoid Orientalism, should you not make an effort to abstain form Westernism?

Name: Anne Woodhead
Email: Annegw77@aol.com
Profession: Homemaker
Country: USA

Comments

I really appreciate your website and commentary. Was glad to read the Christmas message of Michael Sabbah, the Latin patriarch. Am very sorry about Yasser Arafat not being able to travel to Bethlehem for Christmas Mass. Today is Christmas Day and I send greetings and prayers for peace--for our world and for Palestine. In my church, I am trying to promote prayers for Palestine/Israel and to present the Palestinian cause which is often hidden in the U.S. Salaam-shalom-peace!

Name: A.Farringdon-Nash
Email: Anthony@whitlands.freeserve.co.uk
Profession: retired Development Consultant
Country: England

Comments

All I can say at the moment is that the frustration I feel on behalf of the Palestinian affects my sleep as I also see no justice from the present governments of the U.S and the U.K. As an individual I have little say and that is why I can only offer my name in support.

Name: The Revd Canon John Ford
Email: johnford@waitrose.com
Profession: priest
Country: England

Comments

Thank you for such an informative site.

Name: Michelle Stowell
Email: MLStowell@aol.com
Profession: Attorney
Country: USA

Comments

The USA newspapers are very pro-Israel and fail to report the actual destruction and killings done by the Israelis. It would be great if your organization could reach out to the US media in an effort to achieve more balanced coverage of the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Name: Jayne Hillyer
Email: jhillyer@Refugee-legal-centre.org.uk
Profession: asylum caseworker
Country: England

Comments

good site. Keep the information flowing.

Name: Homoousious
Email: homoousious@yahoo.com
Profession: writer
Country: USA

Comments

I do believe since 9-11 that the TRUE driving force behind the conflict is it's religious dogma that anchors itself deep in the "soil" while being surrounded by political and secular rhetoric. I order to dispell the aggressions one must no longer rely upon political means only....one MUST persuade change by addressing the religious elements embedded deep in the psyche as well as the REASONS WHY one believes as they do. Remember, the roots of Zionism ARE fueled by religious dogma and cannot be seperated from it....if so, Zionism dies. Also remember, there is a "religious" zionism from evangelical Christians that is the root of the USA's support for Israel. I have been doing research in these areas and would love to carry out a correspondence with you. I do have a member of your organisation that I know.....Mahasan Nader Eldin. Iwould like to visit either in July of 2002 or the next December of 2002. I am working on a project back in the USA that may be helpful. Feel free to contact the above address if you would like to be a part of this or carry on a correspondence. Thank You.

Name: alik
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

i feel that your site is one way story . but we hear in the news that you send young people to kill themselves so you and take many young israelis with them. but we never hear of israelis killing themselves in your towns. so why are you doing it??? it is better to give up and live better life, with schools , hotels, movies nightlife, stores and have fun. if you do not like this life just leave the area and come to the west world. our parents did it.

Name: Ian White
Email: ian.r.white@ntlworld.com
Profession: Systems Technician
Country: England

Comments

Anything that gives an objective account of what is happening in Palestine is to be welcomed. It makes me ashamed of what the West does in the name of it's people.

Name: sabrine
Email: s_kaoud@hotmail.com
Profession: Student
Country: Palestine

Comments

A very intersting web site with alot of sad true facts.

Name: Linda Sweiss
Email: lsweiss2001@yahoo.com
Profession: Legal Counsel
Country: Canada

Comments

I would just like to say that I believe the Miftah website is very informative, and offers a variety of intellectual and objective information. Inshallah the day will come when all of our tragedies and hardships will be a thing of the past, and are only stories that we tell our children of the future, we will tell them how strong we are as a people, and howwe fought till we were the victorious ones. Inshallah, Allah Kareem!!! In solidarity to all my brothers and sisters!

Name: Issa Abdullah
Email: JesseSugar@MSN.com
Profession: Attorney
Country: USA

Comments

It's an excellent resource for individuals looking for the other side of an often one-sided conflict.

Name: sofian saleh nasrallah
Email: sofian_saleh@emirates.net.ae
Profession: sales and marketing
Country: united arab emirates

Comments

i support your initiative for the promotion of global dialogue and democracy toward the good persons who share us in our rights in palestine and of course not bad persons and countries.

Name: Robert Browning
Email: robertb@his.com
Profession: scientist
Country: USA

Comments

As an English-American Presbyterian let me suggest that you try marching from villages to the nearest settlements with an objective of sitting in until the settlers leave. Make sure that videos are available to the press. Be prepared to accept casualties. Of couse you will spend time in jail. But the loss cannot be greater than now. Make it clear that you will be non-violent but are prepared to die.

I predict that Hamas will look on with interest and will, at least temporarily suspend operations. You will revolutionise the image of Arabs in the US who are now seen largely as Muslim/Terrorists.

Do not march on possible areas of return in the pre-1967 areas. Be prepared only for a symbolic return to those areas.

I think that this would have a stunning effect in the US on American Jews who used these techniques in the 60's for civil rights. If you can get them to fall away from supporting Israel I think that you know the overwhelming effect that that would have on US policy.

I am a member of and contributor to Churches for Middle East Peace here in Washington, D.C. We should do more; but non-violence on your part would give us something to demonstrate for in a positive way.

I am also a member of the PeaceNowDiscussion on Yahoo and have discussed this idea a little with folks there. They are intrigued but worry about Palestinian lives. I say that you are sacrificing those already to little effect.

Best Wishes,

Robert Browning Arlington, VA

Name: A.L.
Email:
Profession: Student
Country: Israel

Comments

Something Fishy in the Red Sea:

Awful English, poor journalism. From what I could understand, the writer of the article wishes to undermine Israel's claims that the weapons on Karin-A were indeed headed for the Palestinian Authority. And what does he or she bring as "smashing" support? Iran's allegations to the contrary (as if we expected the Iranians to claim even partial responsibility), the Palestinians' self exoneration from any ties whatsoever to the ship (as if we expected them to claim even partial responsibility - as if Chairman Arafat has not lied in the past...). Israel's claims are absurd?! Your own Navy Commander was Captain of the miserable ship. He himself claimed to be an employee, a public servant of the PA. You expect us to believe that an operation of this magnitude would not have been known to Chairman Arafat? The embarrassment is so overwhelming that you cannot find the ground deep enough to bury your head in. You prostitute the idea, the very notion of peace (what were you planning to do with those Katyushas, fire them in wedding ceremonies?)and then claim Israel is dealing with "propaganda." Anything you cannot explain, or that you can explain but deceitfully choose not to, and that Israel provides answers for, you call "propaganda." That is what you have done with the Holocaust as well. No better book to read this month except for "The Holocaust Industry," erudite Dr. Ashrawi? The horror!, the horror!, the horror! of the ignorance among your people, whose cultural events once they have a nation will still consist of denying our right to exist as a people, and nothing more. Shame.

Name: laila al-chouli
Email: koloord11@hotmail.com
Profession: consultant/writer/social work
Country: kitchener-ontario-canada

Comments

Assalma Alaikum to all brothers and sisters in Islam. May Allah grant you good health and keep you strong and prosperous in your work. Duas and salams always going your way from our way. We pray for Imam Mahdi to come in our time to bring peace in Islam and throughout the World and for us to stand together united all Muslims as one In-Sha-Allah. There has to be love not hate between the sects in order for Islam to survive. We are the only ones who can do it!

Name: Labib
Email: lknasir@hotmail.com
Profession:
Country: Palestine

Comments

Since you don't sign your name I'll refer to you as A.L. (the Israeli student). "Something Fishy in The Red Sea" seems to have hit a chord. The article was mostly quotes presenting the facts. Israel still today has refused to share the information indicting the PNA. There might have been a Palestinian on board but he seemed to be working for Israel. Just as you don't expect the Iranians and Palestinians to take responsibility, we certainly do not expect Israel to tell the truth. Why are they hiding the information? Don't talk about peace for it is clear that the government you elected is opposed to peace, always was and always will be. We don't need to look back at the Holocaust to witness the horror practiced by white Europeans against the Jews. One only needs to go visit Gaza, and see the urban neighborhoods destroyed, Palestinian body parts stolen, infants shot dead in their homes, trees uprooted and collective punishment practiced against a people. Palestinians are practicing their right to resist an occupation granted through the Declaration of Principals. Palestinians excepted the compromise of getting back only 22% of historical Palestine, while the Israelis feel like they are doing us a favor for giving us back the land they occupied and abiding to international law and resolutions. It was Arafat and Rabin who made peace and Sharon was always opposed to it. We are not in place to deny your rights to exist as a people, you already exist and are very powerful, it is the Palestinians that Israel chooses not to accept while preaching hate and dehumanizing the oppressed Palestinians. I believe it is your people that are ignorant when it comes to the horror, the horror, the horror. I invite you to visit a refugee camp, or a West Bank city to see how your occupying forces are breeding hate and promoting violence. So while you sit in your comfortable, safe, stolen home and criticize the Palestinians, you need to prepare your people for peace and compromise. End the occupation and there will be peace, but as long as there is an occupation there will be a resistance. Israel abandoned peace the day they elected a murderer indicted for war crimes as their PM.

Name: Rami Kishek
Email: ramiak@wam.umd.edu
Profession: Scientist
Country: Palestine / USA

Comments

Great Site!

Name: Muayyad Qubbaj
Email: mqubbaj@lehman.com
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Elzaabi
Email: elzaabi.mazen@wanadoo.fr
Profession: Medical Doctor
Country: France

Comments

Your interresting site should be translated into french, spanish, italian,...

Name: Peter
Email:
Profession: Engineer
Country: Australia

Comments

This is indeed an inspiring web site, the world certainly has it's high degree of rife with terror and fragmented cultural and political systems. Not forgetting the persecution of our lands in themselves (environmental bastardisation).The courage and leadership that is represented by MIFTAH is certainly shining a beacon above the waters for all persucuted peoples, a true sprirtual blessing. I do not have to ask GOD to bless Dr Hanan Ashrawi, for I feel confident he stands along side of her. Keep up this excellent work.

Name: DE PACE William
Email: whehess@hotmail.com
Profession: Sociology
Country: France/Italy

Comments

Thank for all you work to inform us...

Every-day I have News from my Wife from Nabus (West Bank) until 5 month now and I pary to return in Palestine more soon...

Now I'm in Europe and I'll make all to crate an European Movement for Peace (We begin in Germany and Holland) to waking up the Palestinian tragedy here...

That God protect you and all your family...

Maasalama...

William DE PACE (EHESS-Paris)

Name: d elliott
Email: rktsrgn@aol.com
Profession: retired/senile citizen
Country: usa

Comments

I didn't know about your organization until today when after reading about Dr. Bargouthi's detention and abuse by the IDF et al in Dr.Said's article in thenation.com, 02/04/02, I went in search of news accounts of the event. It's strange, I subscribe to MEI and some other periodical focussing on ME/Palestine news, and I hadn't heard of MIFTAH or about the incident. I have been involved pretty heavily (with some breaks due to other responsibilities)with the Palestine issue since 1982. I was at one time a Chair of a local Nov 29/PSC chapter, but as I have never really had faith in the Israeli/Liberal Zionist "let's negotiate" gambit, I found it hard to present the approved CDP/PFLP positions and resigned/withdrew. I then found myself pretty isolated. I find your positions and leading members list very interesting and promising. I would like to know more about Dr. Barghouthi and this International Solidarity Movement. If I was rich enough to afford the airfare etc. I might volunteer to interpose what's left of this body along with the other international observers -- except that my personal psychological makeup is such that I would probably join in any rockthrowing that might erupt, thus defeating the purpose of the demonstration. (I'm joking--I hope...)

I would appreciate being on the list to recieve any info you are handing out.

Thanks and best wishes,

Dan Elliott, Rocket Surgeon Emeritus, Sacramento

Name: D Elliott
Email: kwibono@aol.com
Profession: retired
Country: usa

Comments

I just found this site by accident. I read numerous publications & websites re Palestine & the invaders so I wonder why I never came across it before.

It is a superbly produced page. Your roster of leaders and what I have seen of the content is most impressive.

Please include me on your email list.

I would also be most interested in news re the International Solidarity initiative that Dr Bargouti is involved in -- and what his medical condition is now after his encounter(s) with the forces of darkness. Nothing of the Solidarity activities or his arrest/detention is reported here.

Name: Sylvia
Email:
Profession: Teacher
Country: Kenya

Comments

I accidentally happened on this website as I am trying to learn more about Palestine and the Palestinians. It is a wonderful website - very informative, and for once, I am seeing the Palestinian point of view. Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, please continue the great work you are doing. I really admire you. I am just a working person, and all I can do is to get the people around me to see the Palestinian point of view. I intend to visit this website regularly. Keep up the good work. God bless you all, and God bless the Palestinians. At the end of the day, it does not matter whether one is Christian, Muslim or Jew, politician or ordinary person on the street - injustice cannot be disguised or ignored.

Name: Sylvia
Email:
Profession: Teacher
Country: Kenya

Comments

I am in the process of reading as much as I can about the history of Palestine, and got on to this website because I wanted to know more about Dr. Hanan Ashrawi. I am not disappointed. This is a wonderful website, and, for once, I am learning more about the Palestinian point of view. Dr. Ashrawi, keep up the wonderful work - God is on your side. I am just a working person, and all I can do is try to talk to the people around me about the grave injustice being done to the Palestinian people. At the end of the day, it does not matter if one is Christian, Muslim or Jew, politician, world leader or ordinary person on the street, injustice cannot be disguised or ignored. I will shortly start reading "Orientalism" by Edward Said, and go on to many more books written by people of this region. The world needs to know more - perhaps you should make far more effort in this area. God bless you all, and I look forward to the day, soon I pray, when the Palestinians are a free people with their own State and dignity. Dr. Ashrawi, I really admire you!

Name: Jouni Suonsivu
Email: jousuo@utu.fi
Profession: Student (languages and history)
Country: Finland

Comments

We have a proverb: you recognize the tree out of its fruits. The things should not necessarily be like this, but thanks to (all-)arabic greed and hatred towards the Jewish you Palestinian Arabs have now a misery. And it continues, thanks to Arab countries governments that use you as toys in the game instead of integrating you co-arabs in their societies. You can't blame Israel for that it has built universities, electricity, roads and so on on the disputed (remember, Jordan insisted armistice lines be 1949 provisional) areas. Throughout the last century Jewish people returning to their home country (remember, there has always lived Jewish people in their home country) tried to live in peace with Arabs (of whom so many newly came from Maghreb-countries or Egypt in search for work). This was partly successful. Hot heads like mufti El Hussein (the nazi) could cause the stop of living side by side. And now, Mr. Arafat as that man's relative is very much the same. Still, many others are worse. As well, Christian Arabs on disputed areas suffer, especially in Bethlehem area, thanks to PA policies. Often heard Arabic comments: but they took our land. No, the starting point is erroneous since you took their lands, then came the Turks, and Britons...as life could finally be settled Arabs (remember your own Charter, article one, you are part of the big Arab nation) and islam, id est, the Goliath tries to kill the David, id est, Israel. Anyway, I believe as well among you there are people who have their heart in its correct place and realize: let Israel live, Jerusalem was 3000 years ago the capital of Israel, it is and will and shall be that in the future.

Name: Tony
Email:
Profession: Real Estate
Country: USA

Comments

Very Happy to have found your web-site. More public disclosure is needed in the American media.

Please visit democracynow.org web-site. I am sure the hosts will welcome the truth.

Name: Nader Abudiab
Email: Naboudiab@hotmail.com
Profession: Vice president  "Highway Construction"
Country: Palestine (currently the USA)

Comments

Alsalamu Alikum,

I would like to commend you on this website, and the information you relay to the world. You can’t imagine the pain we feel in our hearts when we see our own blood and flesh suffering in Palestine. We can never have enough information relayed to the West about the atrocities that Israel commits every minute of the day against civilization and basic human rights. It is a shame that a nation that suffered under the Nazi's can inflect similar pain on others. You would think history has taught everyone that oppression is never the answer to peace, but obviously it falls on deaf ears.

I thank every one of you for your efforts and may God bless you in raising the word of truth and justice.

If it is possible, could you add more pictures "A picture is worth a thousand word"

Thank you, Nader Abudiab

Name: Issa Sweilem
Email: swissa50@hotmail.com
Profession: CEO - Swiss Technologies
Country: Jordanian living in the USA

Comments

Hello,

To put your site in words is an unreachable pursuit! The articles I have read here are showing that true journalism is not dead in the world. In the USA media it is often warped. We need these journalists in the western media to bring to light the truth more often. I grew up in the American school systems and would not fold to the one-sided teachings they applied in history. I love the USA and my best friend’s families are Jewish survivors of German and Russian decent. Our goal is to show that Jews (even though dealt as a nationality it is a religion) and Arabs can be brothers despite the old generations teachings. I hope that Jewish moms and Arab moms take a stand together and end this non-sense. The women in our cultures moldings are a major key for our future. Old school mentalities of our leaders in the Middle East need to change. The US needs to stop selling world peace for its economic war driven minds of we are the Kings of the Hill! We need to appreciate words that came out of one of my favorite songs by Bob Marley “One Love, one heart Let’s get together and feel all right”. To leave the comments on a positive note!

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WORLD!!!

Name: Saif
Email: kajsaif02@aol.com
Profession: cartoonist
Country: USA

Comments

I only wish the entire world can see this site and realize what really goes on in Palestine...the things America not only ignores...but also allows.

PEACE

Name: Dan Vander Lugt
Email: dvanderl@yahoo.com
Profession: biblical counselor
Country: USA

Comments

You are one of the best Palestinian sites I've visited.

During the past three weeks I've had my eyes opened--mostly by means of Jewish writers--to the horrors committed against Arabic speaking people in 1948. I now know about the continuing policy of aggression against the Palestinian people by the Israeli government, and I'm outraged.

I'm only one person, but I'm doing what I can to educate my friends and coworkers about the truth in Palestine.

God Bless you--and all of the righteous Jews who stand for peace.

Dan Vander Lugt

P.S. Non-violent resistence will win the hearts of Americans much quicker than responding to Israeli terrorism in kind.

Name: Leslie Black-Tawfik
Email: lestaw904@aol.com
Profession: physician's assistant
Country: Brooklyn, USA

Comments

I read Dr. Said's article in the 2/4/02 Nation and then found Miftah in a Resources sidebar in the Jan/Feb 2002 Dollars and Sense. I am just delighted to have found your open door in the primarily closed ward of US consumer culture.

Name: George Brown
Email:
Profession: Highschool teacher
Country: USA

Comments

Dear Dr. Ashrawi and MIFTAH staff, I would like to bring to your attention that your site, although rich with information and gives the reader an honest view of the conflict, lacks a very important aspect of the conflict and that is a comprehensive study of Zionism as a racist idealogy that is no different than Nazism. The Israelis have succeeded in selling their story to the world and had managed to depict Zionism as Judaism. Zionism the driving logic behind the mass killing of Palestinians and the theft of their lands. The Israelis have used it as an excuse to justify the horror they have wreaked among Palestinians. A thorough account of Israeli/Jewish terrorism will serve as a good mechanism to explain the inequality and injustice inflicted on the Palestinians by such criminals as Sharon, Peres and the rest of the Israeli criminal bunch that resides in office.

Keep up the good work. GB

Name: Sami Basha
Email: basha@forzapace.net
Profession: Researcher in science of education/ Universita' Salesiana - Italy
Country: Palestine/Italy

Comments

Dear Dr. Ashrawi, It is an honor to all palestinians and specially to me to have a special person like you, that still believe in dialogue and peace, not ignoring and with a strong voice showing and afferming the Palestinian Identity. I do believe and share with you that we have to find a new canal of information, new ideas, leaders with new mentality opne with courage to face a real and stabil solution for our struggle with the israeli. I wish that "Miftah" become a real event to change our hearts and mind toward a healthy palestinian state, based on democratic practice and respect for human rights.

Name: Sylvia
Email:
Profession: Teacher
Country: Kenya

Comments

Dear Miftah,

I have been on your website almost every night just to keep up with what is going on in Palestine. My heart goes out to the Palestinian people, and especially to President Arafat who is being treated so inhumanely. He does not deserve to be treated in this way - I feel particularly bad when he says that he may not live to see his dream. I pray that soon justice will prevail and that we will all celebrate the freedom of Palestine. Today, I am very happy with the statement made by the EU and pray that things will take a new direction. It is heartening to see people from different nationalities and different parts of the world who have expressed their feelings here. The wanton killing of innocent men, women and children must come to an end soon if we want a better world, wherever we may be on this Earth. The latest contributions in your "Independent Articles" are very good, and have given me an insight into exactly what is going on in your land. I feel particularly bad for the Palestinian women who have had to bear so much sorrow, and the little children who do not know what it is like to grow up normally. I recently saw the brutal killing of little Mohammed on TV, which was captured by a reporter - that scene will live with me for the rest of my life. The media worldwide must be fair and just in their reporting already, I am sure that many in this world are questioning the horrible scenes we see everyday on our screens. I believe you have many friends in the world who are watching now. Please, all people of the world who make important decisions, take notice of the suffering and add your voices. Make a difference and let the Palestinians live in peace. Truth and justice are values we must all live by. I am an ordinary woman, but find it difficult to sleep at night knowing that there are people like me somewhere in the world who are losing their homes and their families and the whole world is silent. These atrocities just cannot be allowed to take place in the 21st Century. Dr. Ashrawi and all the people of Miftah, thank you for keeping the world informed through this website. May God truly bless you all. You are in my prayers and thoughts.

Name: Antranig
Email:
Profession: Management
Country: USA

Comments

You need more Madison Ave. PR and exposure in the US. Your web site is very encouraging. The truth must be told and this dillusional politics as usual must come to an end befor a third genocide takes place with US approval.

Name: Jim Dodrill
Email: jim@digitaldesigns
Profession: Computer Analyst
Country: Australia

Comments

Great Site full of good information. The information is factual and without emotion or propaganda. MIFTAH has given me a better view of the conflict caused by the occupying Israeli government and military.

Thank you and God Bless you all

Name: Adly Ayad
Email: adly5@attbi.com
Profession: IT Engineer
Country: USA

Comments

Very well done

Name: Bushra Nazir
Email: Bushra.Nazir@Calderdale.gov.uk
Profession: Housing Professional
Country: UK

Comments

An excellant website, which seeks to educate all those who are willing to be educated by truth and justice.

Name: JAMES OLSON
Email: PICKET5350
Profession: AMERICAN PATRIOT
Country: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Comments

YOUR SITE IS AWESOM I AGREE WITH NINTYNINE PERCENT OF YOUR ARTICLES AND OF OTHERS POSTED ON YIOUR SITE THE PALISTINIANS MUST KEEP THE WORLD INFORMED OF THE INJUSTICE AND TERROR IMPOSED ON THEM BY THE RACIS,TERRORIST STATE OF ISRAEL.

PALISTINE A STATE JERUSALEM HER CAPITOL

Name: Dianne Rhody-Scott
Email: jscott@swva.net
Profession: Social Worker
Country: United States

Comments

Excellent web site! Keep up the great work!

Name: mona
Email: m_hamoui@hotmail.com
Profession: Analyst
Country: United States

Comments

I think this is a very informative site. It's unfortunate, however, that this wealth of information, the many detailed statistics that are sited here, are never reported in US newspapers or Television or the fact that many Americans have never heard of UN resolution 242. I think you should run ads in the American newspapers advertising this site.

Name: MOUNIR DHIAB
Email: MOUNIDHIAB@YAHOO.com
Profession: DOCTOR
Country: TUNISIA

Comments

PEACE IS OUR AIM ; freedom still our battle

Name: Steven
Email: steven@hotmail.com
Profession: Webmaster
Country: Switzerland

Comments

Thank's to all the officers and soldiers who understand that the actual policy of Mister Sharon is a shame for all the Jewish community, for the people of Israel and for all Humanity. You are on the right way, you save the honor of the jewish community. God bless you. Palestinian and Israelian people could leave in peace in their own country.

Name:
Email:
Profession:
Country:

Comments

Name: Mustapha
Email: casablanca-transportation@home.com
Profession: Business Owner
Country: USA

Comments

Good job! God bless you all!!